Sri Lanka is considering a system requiring teachers to obtain professional teaching licences under a proposed National Education Council, according to a senior Education Ministry official.
The proposed system would extend to teachers working within the general education system and, according to the reported proposal, those conducting private tuition classes.
The changes are not currently in force and depend on the proposed institutional and legislative framework being established.
Teaching licence proposed
According to the senior Education Ministry official, teachers would be required to obtain a teaching licence once the proposed National Education Council is established.
The reported proposal forms part of a broader attempt to establish professional standards and regulation within Sri Lanka's general education system.
The council would reportedly cover professional groups including:
- teachers;
- teacher advisers;
- principals;
- teacher educators; and
- education administrators.
Graduate recruitment also proposed
The official said that under the proposed system, future teacher recruitment would be limited to graduates once the council is established.
A proposal has also reportedly been made for school teachers who obtain doctoral degrees to receive a basic salary equivalent to that of university academics, while differences in total remuneration could remain because of allowances.
These remain proposals rather than currently implemented salary or recruitment rules.
Private schools and tuition
The proposed regulatory framework would reportedly also extend to government-approved private schools.
Measures under consideration include standards concerning charges imposed when children are admitted to such schools.
The reported teaching-licence requirement would also apply to private-tuition teachers.
Legislation still required
Current reporting citing the Education Ministry official states that legislation relating to the proposed National Education Council has received Cabinet approval and is expected to be presented to Parliament.
Sineth News had not independently located the final Bill or enacted legislation establishing these requirements at publication time.
Accordingly, the proposals should not be interpreted as current legal obligations on teachers.