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Several leading private sector companies will be assisting the Government to develop rural schools with strategic training programmes in the English language and Information Technology. Among the companies which have joined hands with the government for this project are some of the corporate giants in Colombo including Hatton National Bank, Ceylon Shipping Lines, Aitken Spence, National Development Bank, Phoenix College of Clothing Technology and the Ceylinco Group of Companies. The programme is designed to prepare students in remote areas with the necessary skills and qualifications to suit the private sector employment market. It is also expected to reduce classroom congestion by maintaining an averaof about 35 students per class. Participation of the private sector is to put the development of rural schools on the fast track. Under the Divisional Secretariat Development Programme, it is planned to have at least one model school in each division by the end of this year. The Government has earmarked for development 134 such schools out of a total of 341. The balance schools are to be developed next year. The Hatton National bank has agreed to do the training of principals and teachers, while Aitken Spence has agreed to adopt the schools around their hotels and the Ceylinco Group has opted to take over the responsibility of teaching English and IT in some of the schools. In the meantime, the Ministry of Education is taking steps to accredit and assure the quality of International Schools in Sri Lanka. Under the new policy, legislation will be introduced for the Ministry of Education to recognise these schools which have been operating outside the purview of the Ministry. They will then be entitled to the same facilities as provided to other private schools by the Ministry. Students of International Schools will also be allowed to sit the GCE (O/L & A/L) examinations as school candidates.
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