In a keynote address at the 10th Biennial Conference of the All Island Professional Lecturers’ Association (APLA), President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the dangers of politicizing education and called for unified efforts to overhaul the nation's education system within the next two to three years.
Addressing attendees at the Nelum Pokuna Theater in Colombo, President Wickremesinghe warned against the perils of letting personal biases influence educational policies, stressing that such actions could lead to the country's downfall. He urged all stakeholders, including educators, professionals, and policymakers, to engage in collaborative discussions to devise effective reforms.
Established in 2004 by a consortium of tuition teachers nationwide, the APLA convened the conference, where President Wickremesinghe's remarks resonated with the audience. During the event, Dr. K. Ariyasinghe, a founding member of the association, and other senior educators were honored with the Senior Lecturers Award by the President.
Mr. Ravindra Bandara, President of APLA, expressed gratitude to President Wickremesinghe and presented him with a commemorative gift, symbolizing the association's appreciation for his support. The President then joined executive committee members of APLA for a group photograph, highlighting the collaborative spirit between the government and educational organizations.
President Wickremesinghe assured attendees that the government's forthcoming education reforms would prioritize inclusivity, welcoming input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including educators, professionals from the economic sector, and organizations like APLA.
He reiterated the importance of inclusive dialogue in shaping the future of education in the country, underscoring the need for collective action to ensure a robust and equitable educational system for all.
