• Suboptimal operation of Nat. Edu. Mgt. Info. System noted 

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has noted that since problematic situations have arisen following arrangements being made to temporarily admit students to schools close to their residence due to economic difficulties and transportation difficulties in the context of the difficult situation in the country, the relevant officials should decide in this regard after discussing with the Minister in charge.

The above arrangements were made based on a letter by the Director of National Schools bearing Number ED/1/6/1/10/2022 dated 6 June 2022.

The COPA, which met recently, also focused on the current performance of the National Education Management Information System. The officials pointed out that although this data System was initiated in 2012, it has not yet reached the expected level of performance, and in turn, the COPA expressed displeasure at the data System not reaching the desired level. The COPA also pointed out that the necessary data pertaining to the school system is not available in this data System and not up to expectation. 

Furthermore, contrary to circular 2008/37, though the number of classes in schools should not be changed without the approval of the Structure Committee under the Ministry of Education, principals of 29 schools had started new classes for intermediate classes at their own discretion without the approval of the Ministry. Accordingly, the COPA Chair, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna recommended to submit a full report on this before 17 May.

Attention was also paid to whether there is a lack of enrollment of children in the first year and it was recommended to give a report to the COPA within two weeks, containing the information of the last 20 years.