Education, Sports Ministries draw plans for establishment of sports schools

Education Minister Prof. GL Peiris and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa address a special meeting held with the participation of the principals of sports schools

The Ministry of Education has issued a circular advising all provincial and zonal education authorities and sports school principals on how to implement the coordination of the Ministries of Education and Sports in relation to the admission of students to sports schools, administrative and financial matters of sports schools, as well as the development of sports schools, a media release from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs states.

At present, 25 sports schools representing all districts of the country have been established, and Education Minister Prof. GL Peiris and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa, recently discussed the future course of action required for the development of those schools. This circular has been issued in accordance with the decisions taken at the special meeting, held with the participation of the principals of sports schools.

The primary objectives of the establishment of sports schools are to raise the level of sports performance of school children, to create a school environment that can provide a formal sports education, and thereby to produce outstanding international athletes through the school sports system in the country.

Admission of students to sports schools starts from 8th grade, and students with special ability and passion for sports are selected through interviews and admitted to sports schools.

However, the circular instructs to start a separate class for each Grade 8 in each sports school, as a solution to the problem of enrolment of students in sports schools due to overcrowding of students.

Further development activities will take place with the special assistance of the tri-forces, under the coordination of the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Education, for the key development needs including human resource development of sports schools, physical resource development, development and modernisation of existing playgrounds, renovation of hostels and preparation of necessary resources.