The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, stated that while teacher vacancies are being filled through the Central Government this time, he expects to make district-level appointments in the future when teacher vacancies are filled through the Provincial Council.
As a key event of the Third International Education Conference jointly organized by the Faculty of Arts, the Department of Education, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Jaffna, a conference titled “A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Improving G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) Achievement Levels in the Northern Province” was held on Saturday evening 18 July 2026 at Kamsiya Mahal, Ramanathan Street, Jaffna.
The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, who attended the event as the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address, further stated:
“The Northern Provincial Council has already initiated several projects in collaboration with universities. We initially held discussions with the Faculties of Agriculture and Engineering of the University of Jaffna, and more recently with the Faculty of Arts, to explore how they can contribute to our social development initiatives. The Faculty of Science has also engaged in discussions on supporting the development of the education sector. In the same manner, we are working closely with the University of Vavuniya to strengthen these collaborative efforts.”
“As highlighted during these discussions, there is much to be done to improve the education sector in our province. One of the most pressing challenges relates to the deployment and management of teachers. It has been pointed out that the distribution of teacher resources across the province is uneven. Although clear instructions have been issued to address this imbalance, progress in implementing these measures has been disappointingly slow.
For instance, while reviewing an application submitted by a teacher seeking permission to travel abroad, I examined the arrangements made to replace him. I was deeply concerned by the information provided by the school principal. The application stated that the teacher concerned had been classified as a ‘supernumerary teacher’ and had not been assigned a teaching timetable. This is a teacher responsible for teaching a major subject at the G.C.E. Advanced Level. Failing to assign teaching responsibilities to such a qualified teacher reflects a serious administrative lapse. Accordingly, I have called for a detailed explanation on the matter and directed the relevant authorities to take appropriate action.”
“Although information relating to the teaching workforce is being collected, it is often not uploaded or updated in a timely manner. This has resulted in significant administrative inefficiencies. As we work to address these shortcomings and implement meaningful reforms, challenges are inevitable. However, I am firmly determined to face those challenges and move forward with the changes that are necessary.
Many speakers today have emphasized the importance of leadership, and I fully agree with their views. I, too, have consistently stressed the need for strong leadership. Effective leadership is essential not only among school principals but also among Zonal Directors of Education. Only through capable and committed leadership at every level can we strengthen our education system and achieve sustainable improvements.”
“I recently visited a school in a disadvantaged area of the Kilinochchi District. During my visit, I learned that several students who had skipped school and were bathing in a nearby pond were noticed by young people from the village. With the support of the school principal, those students were successfully brought back to school. This demonstrates that when the strong leadership of a principal is combined with the social responsibility and commitment of the local community, challenges such as school dropouts can be effectively addressed.
I welcome the proposal that the activities of the ‘Education Perspectives’ Forum, which focuses on key issues affecting school education in the Northern Province, should be reviewed every four months. The Governor’s Secretariat is ready to provide the necessary support and facilities to ensure the success of this initiative.”
Dr. S. Arivalagan, a Member of the National Steering Committee for Education Reforms and the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Education, served as the Co-Chair of the conference and delivered the opening address. This was followed by an introductory presentation on the ‘Education Perspectives’ initiative, after which a series of thematic sessions focusing on strategies to improve G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) examination performance in the Northern Province were conducted.
Professor A. Nithilavarnan of the University of Jaffna delivered a presentation on the factors contributing to the decline in average G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) achievement levels in the Northern Province, while Professor F.M. Navastheen of The Open University of Sri Lanka presented on adapting the National Curriculum to meet the diverse learning needs and backgrounds of students.
Professor R. Muhunthan of The Open University of Sri Lanka delivered a presentation on reviewing school-level assessment systems with a view to improving G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) examination performance, while Dr. S. Athirathan of the University of Colombo spoke on strategies for enhancing student achievement by strengthening teachers’ instructional skills and classroom practices.
An open discussion session, moderated by R. Sarveswara, Director of Further Education of the Northern Province, was held on the theme “From Challenges to Change: Factors Affecting G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) Achievement Levels in the Northern Province.” During the session, Mrs. Lavanya Suganthan shared insights into the prevailing field conditions and the practical challenges affecting educational outcomes in the province. The conference concluded with the closing remarks delivered by M. Patrick Diranjan, Secretary to the Ministry of Education of the Northern Province.
