IMPROVING LEARNING AND UPSKILLING OF SRI LANKA’S YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE

By Asian Development Bank

December 15^th, 2021

Sri Lanka’s economic growth has been strong from 2010 to 2019. However, growth has slowed down because of the 2019 Easter bombings and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic with their economic consequences. Despite its economic and social challenges, the country’s commitment and aspiration to be an advanced knowledge economy remained strong.

IMPROVING LEARNING AND UPSKILLING OF SRI LANKA’S YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE

With an aging population, the country is strengthening the foundations of its human capital. The country is transforming its education system to usher in a highly educated, multiskilled, and technologically-savvy population. This will ensure a competitive and productive workforce that is compatible with the labor market demand.

Education Sector Development Framework and Program

In 2012, the Government of Sri Lanka launched the Education Sector Development Framework and Program (ESDFP), 2013–2017 to enhance youth employability by diversifying pathways from secondary education.

ADB supported this initiative through a $200 million Education Sector Development Program (ESDP) results-based loan. Approved in 2013, and with $100 million co-financing from the World Bank, the ESDP modernized the country’s secondary education school system.

Specifically, it introduced a science stream in secondary schools in rural areas, as well as a new technology stream to further broaden post-school options.

New Buildings and Facilities

Each of these schools received a three-story building with workshops for engineering technology (civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering), a laboratory for biosystems technology, classrooms for the common theory subject science for technology, and an information and communication technology laboratory.

To ensure sustainability, central training institutions for teachers and principals have been strengthened through human resource development and staffing plan. Additional lecturers have been recruited. School facilities and equipment are maintained.

An Increasing Enrollment

By 2018, there were more than 85,000 students enrolled in all four streams. At the completion of the ESDP in 2019, it had 48,396 students enrolled in 251 program-supported schools, more than double the target of at least 100 schools. 16,636 students were in newly established technology streams (largely self-funded) in an additional 259 schools.

Over 60% of technology students in program-supported schools were studying engineering technology. Girls dominated in biosystems technology and accounted for 9% of engineering technology students, with an overall share of 26%. Enrollments in the science stream in the 251 program-supported schools rose steadily from just 4% of students in 2013 to 12% in 2018, with girls comprising 55% of science enrollments.

A Brighter Future

“Since I was a child, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. So I chose science at school and my parents were happy with that. Had I chosen arts, I would only be able to become a teacher. But in the field of bioscience there are many different opportunities”, said Vinoja, a Biological Science student of Sri Somaskanda College, Puttur, Jaffna, who aims to become one of the few female doctors in her town.

A Commitment to Education

The Government of Sri Lanka has renewed its commitment to this goal under the new medium-term Education Sector Development Program, 2018–2025.

This commitment is evident through substantially increased capital and recurrent budget allocations for schools. Other government projects include a new college for training technology teachers, school grants to support ongoing program operations, support for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system through the national vocational qualification (NVQ) framework, and a new bachelor of technology program.

“As a nation, we are trying to switch our human capital from being primarily unskilled labor to that of a resource for a knowledge economy,” said Ranjith Kumarasiri, an education specialist with the Ministry of Education.

ADB remains committed to supporting the main thrust of human development through increased educational opportunities enhancing youth employability, poverty reduction, and gender and social inclusion.

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