Expenditure heads of the Ministry of Education and State Ministries of Women and Child Development, Pre-Schools and Primary Education, Education Reforms, Skills Development, and Dhamma Schools were passed in Parliament today.
Day eight of the Committee Stage Debate of the 2022 Budget took place between 10am and 5pm today.
Speaking during the Budget debate, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella requested the introduction of a new programme to enable Members of Parliament to undertake higher studies.
Speaking in Parliament, MP Lakshman Kiriella said the entire country has been discussing the educational qualifications of MPs and therefore those in the House must be given an opportunity to pursue higher studies.
State Minister Seetha Arambepola says the government has taken a number of steps to improve the education sector in the country.
The State Minister said the government has also taken forward important measures to improve vocational training opportunities.
She said there were claims that vocational training school curriculum has not been modernised, new technology has not been used, teachers have not received adequate training, the current programmes are not meeting the job demands and the country is creating a workforce with specific skills.
MP Arambepola said they are taking steps to address shortcomings while dealing with several other matters in the industry.
State Minister Seetha Arambepola noted that during a short time the government has introduced a programme under the Mahapola scholarship scheme to provide Rs.4,500 to students, bank loan facilities to students to purchase uniforms and computers and while technology used at technical colleges have also been modernised.
Meanwhile, speaking during the committee stage debate, State Minister of Women and Child Development, Preschools & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services Piyal Nishantha De Silva said action will be taken against any individual who attempts to harm women.
The State Minister commended opposition female MPs wearing badges against violence against women, to make an impact and change.
The State Minister urged MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna to look within her faction to see how many female MPs had to endure hardships and faced violence, adding that there were several incidents. He claimed girls staying at the house of some MPs had succumbed to burn injuries after being abused, civic rights of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike were taken away and she was harassed adding that everyone is aware of how MP Hirunika Premachandra spoke to men.
State Minister Piyal Nishantha De Silva said therefore a new concept was introduced for only men and it was implemented in all districts.
The State Minister noted that he made a written request to the Speaker to implement the programme for both men and women within Parliament.
He said women must be valued by men while women should also know the value of men.
