PM says aesthetic education vital to producing talented artists and humane doctors and engineers

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said on 29 September that the Government aims to produce not only talented artists, but also doctors who understand the pain of their patients and engineers who possess a strong sense of humanity. She said aesthetic education plays a vital role in achieving that objective.

Dr. Amarasuriya was attending the opening of Galle Bataduwa Sri Rathanajothi Vidyalaya as a specialized school offering all aesthetic subjects, with the objective of identifying and nurturing the aesthetic talents of children in the Southern Province.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister said education is not merely about passing examinations or accumulating certificates, but about producing sensitive and responsible citizens who understand the society in which they live and are capable of bringing about positive change within it.

She said aesthetic education develops not only children’s creativity, but also human values such as the ability to recognize the pain of others and respect diversity.

Emphasizing the economic importance of aesthetic education in addition to its human value, the Prime Minister said the forthcoming education reforms are expected to introduce a range of new fields that extend beyond traditional disciplines and can be directly connected to the economy. She also emphasized the importance of preparing Sri Lankan children for the economic and professional opportunities emerging globally through new fields such as digital art, new media, film, music technology and the creative industries.

The Prime Minister said arrangements have been made to implement education reforms for Grades 2 and 6 next year and that Cabinet approval was granted on 28 September for the 13-year curriculum framework, the concept paper of the National Education Commission and the student assessment framework related to these reforms.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated: “We are moving through a transformative era. Our country is undergoing an awakening and change in every sector. Our people are moving forward in various fields, just as they are in the economy. For the first time, a film from our country has been selected for submission to the Academy Awards. Likewise, Rumesha Tharanga won a gold medal at the Asian Games. At a time when the country is moving forward with many such achievements, I hope that the Bataduwa Rathanajothi School of Aesthetic Education will also mark the beginning of many achievements by producing exceptionally talented individuals capable of achieving victories at the global level. The world is open to us. Opportunities are opening up to us. Achievements are within our reach. Therefore, this beginning is extremely important. Through this beginning, I believe that all of you will not only learn history, but will also be able to rewrite history.”

Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, addressing the occasion, said education has been given the highest priority in the development process of the present Government and that one of its key objectives is to build a human resource that is sensitive to society and the environment.

Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Member of Parliament Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera said the Government is directing the education sector towards new concepts and models with the aim of producing a generation of children with a broad vision that extends beyond existing limitations.

The occasion was attended by Ven. Nakiadeniye Gnanuttara Thero and members of the Maha Sangha, Southern Province Governor Professor Susiripala Manawadu, Members of Parliament Arosha Liyanage, Thilanka U. Gamage and Lal Premanath, Vice Chancellor of the University of Visual and Performing Arts Professor Rohan Nethsinghe, government officials, Principal Sumith Samarawickrama, members of the academic staff and a large number of students.