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Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga 
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka embarked on a major educational reforms programme in 1997 which aimed at the improvement of access, equity and quality of education. This programme covered the whole spectrum of education from early childhood years to University level.
In the area of general education, curriculum revision including activity based, child centered methodologies of teaching and learning, provision of quality text books and improved library facilities, use of technology for enhancing the effectiveness of learning, training of all teachers, improving assessment procedures and upgrading physical facilities in schools were some of the interventions that were carried out.
In primary education we have fared creditably. The country is on the verge of achieving Universal Primary Education (UPE) as there is 98% enrolment at school entry level and 96% participation in the primary cycle. The country has a literacy rate of 92% with no differences on gender basis.
But in the area of secondary education there are a few challenges to be overcome. Although legislation to ensure compulsory education for all children between the ages of 5 – 14 years has been enacted, still 17% of the children in the age group are out of school. Our first priority would be to get those children to schools or participate in alternative structures such as functional literacy centres and Community Learning Centres (CLC) which have been set up to meet the needs of out of school children. The drop out rates would be minimized and almost eliminated during the next five years. At the same time action will be taken to improve the quality and relevance of education at this level.
Under the guidance of the Regional Institutes of UNESCO in South and South East Asia we are working closely with our neighbours to achieve the Education For All (EFA) goals, and Sri Lanka is confident that we can achieve these goals for which we need the support of the international community.
Finally, I like to thank the officials of the IBE for focusing on a very relevant theme for the deliberations of the 47th Conference and wish the Conference all success.
Thank you.