Project Transform holds two webinars to transform education via 21st century skills

Tuesday, 20 August 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Participants at the first principals’ leadership webinar

Project Transform announced that it held two separate webinars in June and July for school principals to transform K-12 education by teaching 21st century skills in their schools located across Sri Lanka.

School principals from 16 districts participated in the two webinars. The first webinar introduced Project Transform (PT) and its objectives to the principals. It also featured former Provincial Director of Education – Sabaragamuwa Province Upali Chandrakumara who spoke on the attributes required of a 21st century principal. The second webinar focused on the importance of teaching 21st century skills in Government schools and the rollout plan.

Project Transform Chairman Yukthi K. Gunasekera commented, “We are pleased that the principals showed interest in teaching 21st century skills in their respective schools. This bodes well for our children because at whatever stage they leave school, they will have critical skills to succeed in life, including their careers. 15% of students drop out of school in grade 9, and 40% either drop out or fail their O-Levels. Moreover, organisations worldwide are moving towards a skill-based, rather than a qualification-based, recruitment system. This is why teaching 21st century skills in all our schools is so very important.”

PT will start a pilot project to teach two 21 century skills in Colombo-based schools: critical thinking and problem-solving skills and speaking skills. Subsequently, this program will be widened to include Government schools in all 25 districts, with train the trainer programs to cross-skill school teachers to teach these important soft skills in their schools during free periods.