The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has called for measures to address teacher shortages and strengthen the quality of Sri Lanka’s education system.

The Committee met in Parliament under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The meeting focused on filling teacher vacancies, particularly in Science and Mathematics, improving the teacher transfer system and strengthening facilities at schools in difficult and underserved areas, according to a statement issued by the Department of Communication of Parliament.

The Committee stressed the need to expedite teacher recruitment and identify areas facing severe shortages, with special attention to schools in the Northern and Eastern regions.

Members also called for the teacher transfer process to be carried out transparently and in accordance with approved policies. The system for providing hardship allowances and the criteria used to classify schools as difficult-service locations were also discussed.

In the higher education sector, attention was given to filling academic staff vacancies at universities, improving the efficiency of the National Institute of Education and strengthening quality assurance mechanisms.

The Committee also discussed resolving school land and infrastructure issues and improving inclusive education facilities for children with special educational needs.

Deputy Ministers Dr. Madhura Seneviratne and Nalin Hewage, along with other Ministers, MPs and ministry officials, attended the meeting.