The 21st century has seen
significant changes in the global landscape, with the rapid advancement of
technology, globalization, and the emergence of new opportunities in the
international job market. In response, developing nations are seeking to reform
their education and training systems to equip their workforce with the
necessary skills and knowledge to harness these opportunities. Sri Lanka is no
exception, and the government has declared 2021-2030 the Decade of Skills
Development. This move is expected to bring about a transformational phase of
educational reform and skills development for the nation in line with the
government’s national policy framework, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’.
The Importance of Skills Development in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s education and training system must prepare a competitive workforce with the abilities to harness opportunities available in the national and international job markets while also meeting the career aspirations, needs, and abilities of individuals. The current education and training system is expected to offer context-specific and relevant education and training programs that are useful for both individuals and society.
The Decade of Skills Development
aims to transform the general, higher and professional education, and
vocational education sectors in Sri Lanka, with the goal of reducing the
population of unskilled labor to 10%, creating global technocrats, and
positioning Sri Lanka as the epicenter for human resource development in Asia
by creating a digital, future-fit citizenry who will drive the development
agenda of the country. Transforming the education sector is also expected to
generate revenue for the country by attracting foreign investments and
international students, and increasing foreign remittances brought in by
skilled migrant workers.
The Success of Sri Lanka in Skills Development
Sri Lanka has already made
strides in the area of skills development. The country spearheaded the adoption
of World Youth Skills Day, established through a proposal presented to the
United Nations General Assembly in 2014 by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa
during his tenure as the President. Sri Lanka’s action plan for the Decade of
Skills Development focuses on cultivating next-generation skills in line with
global trends and the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Government’s National Policy on Technical and Vocational Education
and Training (TVET)
Recognizing the importance of
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for economic
productivity, poverty reduction, and social development, the Sri Lankan
government endorsed the National Policy on Technical and Vocational Education
in 2018. The policy alone cannot bring about changes unless it is supported by
a comprehensive plan of action or pathways from policy to results.
The Government’s Action Plan for Skills Development
The government’s action plan for
skills development consists of four key strategic pillars:
a) Strengthening
TVET governance and management;
b) Enhancing
TVET delivery;
c) Facilitating
TVET financing;
d) Improving
TVET outcomes.
a)
Strengthening
TVET Governance and Management
The first pillar of the
government’s action plan focuses on strengthening TVET governance and
management. The aim is to create a more cohesive and efficient system that can
deliver high-quality TVET programs across the country. The government will
establish a National Skills Development Council (NSDC) to oversee and
coordinate TVET programs across the country. The NSDC will be responsible for
developing policies, strategies, and plans for the TVET sector, as well as
monitoring and evaluating TVET programs to ensure their effectiveness.
b)
Enhancing
TVET Delivery
The second pillar of the
government’s action plan aims to enhance TVET delivery by improving the quality
and relevance of TVET programs. The government will establish a National
Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) system to ensure that TVET programs are aligned
with industry standards and meet the needs of employers
c)
Facilitating
TVET Financing
One of the key challenges faced by Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET) programs in Sri Lanka is the lack of adequate
funding. As such, facilitating TVET financing is crucial to ensuring the
sustainability of TVET programs and improving their outcomes.
To address this issue, the government has taken several
steps to increase funding for TVET programs. For example, the government has
introduced tax incentives for businesses that provide training to their
employees, in an effort to encourage more private sector investment in TVET.
The government has also established partnerships with
international organizations such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the
World Bank to provide financial assistance for TVET programs. For example, the
ADB has provided a $100 million loan to support TVET reform in Sri Lanka in
2014, with a focus on improving the quality and relevance of TVET programs, as
well as expanding access to TVET for disadvantaged groups.
d)
Improving
TVET Outcomes
Improving TVET outcomes is another important aspect of the
skills development roadmap in Sri Lanka. The government has recognized that
simply increasing the number of TVET programs is not enough - it is also
essential to ensure that these programs are of high quality and relevant to the
needs of the labor market.
To achieve this, the government has implemented a number of
measures to improve the quality and relevance of TVET programs. These include:
1.
Developing National Competency Standards: The
government has developed national competency standards for various occupations,
which serve as a benchmark for TVET programs. These standards ensure that TVET
programs are aligned with the needs of the labor market, and that graduates
have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen occupation.
2.
Strengthening Industry Partnerships: The
government has established partnerships with industry and employer
organizations to ensure that TVET programs are relevant to the needs of the
labor market. These partnerships help to identify skills gaps and emerging
trends in the labor market, and inform the development of TVET programs.
3.
Improving Teacher Training: The government has
implemented a range of initiatives to improve the quality of TVET teachers,
including providing training on pedagogy, assessment, and curriculum
development. This helps to ensure that TVET teachers are equipped with the
skills and knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality, relevant training to
their students.
4.
Expanding Access to TVET: The government has
taken steps to expand access to TVET programs, particularly for disadvantaged
groups such as women and youth. This includes providing scholarships and other
forms of financial assistance, as well as establishing TVET centers in rural
areas.
5.
Enhancing the Use of Technology: The government
has recognized the importance of incorporating technology into TVET programs to
improve their quality and relevance. This includes the development of
e-learning platforms and the use of virtual reality and other technologies to
simulate workplace environments.
Skills Development Roadmap of Sri Lanka
In order to achieve the ambitious
goals set for the Decade of Skills Development, Sri Lanka has developed a
comprehensive Skills Development Roadmap. This roadmap outlines a clear plan of
action for transforming the education and training system of the country to
meet the demands of the future. The Skills Development Roadmap has been
developed with the input of a wide range of stakeholders, including government
agencies, educational institutions, industry representatives, and civil society
organizations.
The Skills Development Roadmap is
designed to ensure that Sri Lanka has a skilled workforce that is competitive
in the national and international job markets. The roadmap also aims to create
a workforce that is able to meet the needs and aspirations of individuals. In
order to achieve these objectives, the roadmap focuses on four key areas:
·
Aligning education and training with national
development priorities
·
Enhancing access and equity in education and
training
·
Strengthening the quality and relevance of education
and training
·
Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in
education and training
Aligning education and training with national development priorities
The first key area of the Skills
Development Roadmap focuses on aligning education and training with national
development priorities. This involves identifying the skills that are required
to drive the economic development of the country and ensuring that education
and training programs are designed to meet these needs.
To achieve this objective, the
Skills Development Roadmap proposes the establishment of a National Skills
Development Council. This council will be responsible for developing a
comprehensive skills development strategy for the country, which will guide the
development of education and training programs. The council will also be
responsible for coordinating the implementation of the skills development
strategy across different sectors and ensuring that education and training
programs are aligned with national development priorities.
Enhancing access and equity in education and training
The second key area of the Skills
Development Roadmap focuses on enhancing access and equity in education and
training. This involves ensuring that education and training programs are
accessible to all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic background or
geographic location.
To achieve this objective, the
Skills Development Roadmap proposes the development of a National
Qualifications Framework. This framework will ensure that education and
training programs are standardized and that qualifications obtained from
different institutions are recognized across the country. The roadmap also
proposes the development of a National Apprenticeship Scheme, which will
provide apprenticeship opportunities to individuals who may not have access to
formal education and training programs.
Strengthening the quality and relevance of education and training
The third key area of the Skills
Development Roadmap focuses on strengthening the quality and relevance of
education and training. This involves ensuring that education and training
programs are of high quality and that they are relevant to the needs of the
economy and society.
To achieve this objective, the
Skills Development Roadmap proposes the development of a National Quality
Assurance Framework. This framework will ensure that education and training
programs meet certain quality standards and that they are regularly reviewed
and updated to ensure their relevance. The roadmap also proposes the
establishment of Industry Skills Councils, which will provide guidance on the
skills that are required by different industries and will help to ensure that
education and training programs are relevant to the needs of these industries.
Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in education and training
The fourth key area of the Skills
Development Roadmap focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in
education and training. This involves encouraging individuals to develop new
ideas and to take risks, in order to drive innovation and create new businesses
and industries.
To achieve this objective, the
Skills Development Roadmap proposes the development of a National Innovation
and Entrepreneurship Strategy. This strategy will provide guidance on how
innovation and entrepreneurship can be fostered in education and training
programs. The roadmap also proposes the establishment of Innovation and
Entrepreneurship Centers, which will provide support and guidance to
individuals who are interested in developing new businesses or products.
Conclusion
The national policy framework
‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ outlines several key strategies to achieve
the goals of the Decade of Skills Development. One of the key strategies is to
introduce a competency-based education and training system that is relevant to
the job market and tailored to meet the needs of individual learners. This will
help to bridge the gap between education and employment and ensure that
learners are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce.
Another important strategy is to
promote lifelong learning and continuous skills development among the
population. This includes expanding access to adult education and skills
training programs, particularly for disadvantaged groups such as women, rural
populations, and individuals with disabilities. The government has also
launched several initiatives to provide training and upskilling opportunities
for migrant workers, who play a crucial role in the economy through their
remittances.
In addition, the government aims
to establish a robust quality assurance system for education and training
providers to ensure that the programs offered are of high quality and meet
industry standards. This includes developing a national qualifications
framework to standardize qualifications and facilitate recognition of prior
learning, as well as setting up an accreditation system for education and
training providers.
To support the implementation of
these strategies, the government has allocated significant funding for skills
development initiatives. The budget for the Ministry of Education has been
increased by 41% for the year 2021, and the government has also launched
several funding programs to support innovation, research, and development in
the education and training sectors.
The Decade of Skills Development
also places a strong emphasis on the use of technology to enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of education and training delivery. The government
has launched several initiatives to promote the use of e-learning, distance
education, and other digital technologies in education and training. For
example, the Ministry of Education has launched an e-learning portal called
“E-Thaksalawa” which provides free access to educational resources for students
and teachers across the country.
Furthermore, the government has
established several centers of excellence in technical and vocational education
and training to provide high-quality training and skills development
opportunities in priority sectors such as construction, tourism, and
information technology. These centers of excellence are equipped with modern
training facilities and are staffed by highly qualified trainers and
instructors.
Overall, the Decade of Skills
Development is expected to bring about a transformational phase of education
and skills development in Sri Lanka. By focusing on the development of a
competent and future-fit workforce, the government aims to position Sri Lanka
as a hub for human resource development in Asia and to drive the country’s
economic and social development agenda.
References
Ministry of Education Sri Lanka. (2021). Decade of Skills Development.
Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.lk/index.php/en/decade-of-skills-development
United Nations
Development Programme Sri Lanka. (2021). Sri Lanka's Decade of Skills
Development 2021-2030. Retrieved from https://www.lk.undp.org/content/srilanka/en/home/library/sri-lankas-decade-of-skills-development-2021-2030.html
World Bank. (2021).
Sri Lanka's Skills Development Challenge: An Overview. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/srilanka/publication/sri-lankas-skills-development-challenge-an-overview
Ministry of Skills
Development, Employment and Labour Relations Sri Lanka. (2021). National Policy
on Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Retrieved from http://www.mles.gov.lk/web/images/stories/pdf/national-policy-on-tvet.pdf
Asian Development
Bank. (2021). Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Sri Lanka.
Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/154728/ino-tvet-sri-lanka.pdf
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