Support for education in Sri Lanka

Senator Carr with staff and students at St Anthony’s school in Colombo. Photo: Samararathne Kodikara Ishara

Foreign Minister Bob Carr has confirmed Australia’s continuing support for education in Sri Lanka during a three-day visit to Colombo.

Senator Carr took time out from discussions with the Sri Lankan Government to visit a local school and see firsthand the good that the focus on education is doing in the country.

Australia has committed $34 million to the Sri Lanka Government’s five-year education sector plan to improve the quality of primary and secondary education, reduce regional imbalances in access to state education and promote social cohesion throughout Sri Lanka.

Australia’s support will help 250,000 teachers and 3,500 education administrators to deliver better education to more than four million students. It will provide school equipment, improve facilities, strengthen the national curriculum, provide professional development for teachers and improve the management of education in Sri Lanka.

Senator Carr said Australia has an interest in promoting a stable Sri Lanka when it comes to the problem of human trafficking, people smuggling and irregular immigration.

Supporting education in Sri Lanka is in Australia’s interests and the right thing to do as a good global citizen, the Minister said.

Australia’s support for the Government of Sri Lanka’s education sector plan is managed through the World Bank and will contribute to the achievement of targets that have been mutually agreed with the Sri Lankan government.

More information

Australia’s development assistance to Sri Lanka

Last Reviewed: 18 December, 2012