Cannot allocate 6% for education – Keheliya

FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 2012

6% of GNP cannot be allocated for education in the country as demanded by university teachers says the Minister of Information and Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella adding that such an amount is allocated for education only by the most developed countries in the world. He said this at a press briefing held yesterday (30th) morning to inform cabinet decisions.

He said education from grade 1 to grade 13, university education as well as vocational training is given free in Sri Lanka. Developed countries such as the USA gives only school education free he pointed out.

When ‘Lankatruth’ inquired regarding this Vice-President of FUTA Ven. Dhambara Amila Thera said the Minister’s views regarding the USA which has the highest unemployment rate and is the most indebted nation in the world but has achieved a certain degree of development in industrialization could be that. However, we know Denmark has allocated 8.7% of its GNP for education, Maldives has allocated 8.7%, Norway – 7.3%, Sweden – 7.3%, Kenya – 6.7%, Netherlands – 5.9%, Israel – 5.9%, Malaysia – 5.8%, Brazil – 5.8%, Costa Rica – 6.3%, South Africa – 6.0%, People’s Republic of Korea – 5.0%, Swaziland (Which is at the bottom of eh poorest nations) – 7.1% and Ethiopia -4.0%. The Socialist Cuba has allocated 18% for the education of its children said Ven. Dhambara Amila Thera.