Lunch for 1.6 million students from 2024

by Staff Writer 04-12-2023 | 7:37 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha said lunch will be provided for 1.6 million students from 2024.

The Education Minister said he aims to provide lunch to all children, over the next three to four years.

Minister Premajayantha said school uniforms were provided to students free of charge, despite many challenges, and it will be provided earlier next year.

He added another set of uniforms will be sent to estates within the next two weeks.

The Education Minister said measures were also taken to recruit teachers for the new school term, as a solution to the massive teachers shortage.

The Minister said measures will be taken to conduct the Ordinary Level examination in Grade 10, under education reforms.

He said the possibility of conducting the Advanced Level exam in Grade 12 will also be looked into, so students can sit for the exam at the age of 17 years.

The Education Minister said this would allow students to enter universities at the age of 18 years, and complete their Bachelor's degree by 21 years.