The document discusses the teacher education system in Sri Lanka. It provides a history of teacher education in the country dating back to the first teacher training college established in 1903. It outlines the various pathways for pre-service and in-service teacher training available through universities, national colleges of education, the national institute of education, and teacher training centers. These include qualifications like the National Diploma in Teaching, Bachelor of Education, and Postgraduate Diploma in Education. The document also discusses recent proposals to standardize and improve teacher development in Sri Lanka.

1. Teacher Education
System in Sri Lanka
Shironica P. Karunanayaka
Professor in Educational Technology
Faculty of Education
The Open University of Sri Lanka

2. Professional Development of Teachers
Significance
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Shironica P. Karunanayaka, OUSL 2
• “The principal goal of education
in the schools should be creating
men and women who are capable
of doing new things, not simply
repeating what other generations
have done; men and women who
are creative, inventive and
discoverers...” ― Jean Piaget
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jean_Piaget>
• Quality of the teaching-learning process will essentially depend on the teachers’ competencies.
• Teacher education is the means by which teachers acquire professionalism to effectively perform.
<https://moe.gov.lk/academics/>

3. Some Milestones
• First Teacher Training College [TTC] (1903)
• Teacher Training Colleges/Teachers Colleges/Training Colleges (1930s)
• Increased no. of Teacher Training Colleges; Educational Policies highlighting
language, religion and ethnic identity (after 1948)
• A common curriculum for teacher education;
The concept/term "Teacher Training" replaced with "Teacher Education" (1960s)
• Introducing central regulations; Increasing the level of professionalism; Programmes in all three streams
(English, Sinhala and Tamil) (1970s)
• Reforms introducing two perspectives in teacher education: Revitalization and Modernization (1980s)
• Establishment of National Colleges of Education [NCOE] (1985)
• Establishment of National Institute of Education [NIE] (1986)
• Establishment of National Education Commission [NEC] (1991)
• Establishment of a Teacher Service [SLTS] (1994)
• Establishment of a National Authority on Teacher Education [NATE - Defunct later] (1997)
• Establishment of a Teacher Educator Service [SLTES] (1994)
History
Sources: https://www.academia.edu/8945366/History_of_Teacher_Education_in_Sri_Lanka; https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED405310.pdf
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• Over the years many policy recommendations have been made and reforms
implemented, addressing various issues in teacher education and highlighting
the importance of effective teacher professional development in Sri Lanka.
• National Education Commission (NEC) Reports – (1992; 1997; 2002)
• Raising the Quality of Education: Proposals for a National Policy on General
Education in Sri Lanka - NEC (2016)
• Ministry of Education: Training & Development Plan 2017-2018
• World Bank Reports; UNESCO Reports
• Research Studies on Teacher Education
• Proposals for a New Education Act (2012)
• Reimagining Education Sri Lanka - Presidential Task Force (2020)
Policy Recommendations

5. Source: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/Education/StaticalInformation/SchoolCensus/2019
Context
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6. Recruitment
Teacher Recruitment & Promotions
Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service (SLTS)
Grades of Recruitment:
[Open Competitive Examinations/Interviews]
• Class 2 – Grade II - Bachelor of Education
• Class 3 – Grade I
• (a) Graduates
• (b) Pedagogy-trained teachers
• (c) Diploma Holders
• Class 3 – Grade II - G.C.E. (A/L)
Promotion Scheme:
Class 1
Class 2 – Grade I
Class 2 – Grade II
Class 3 – Grade I
Class 3 – Grade II
Sources: http://www.edumin.sp.gov.lk/images/ten.pdf TEACHER SERVICE MINUTE – 2014; 2019
https://moe.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Gazette-of-Sri-Lanka-2019-April.pdf
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7. • “Bachelor of Education’’: Having a Degree Certificate in Education obtained by a University recognized by the UGC or a
Degree Awarding Institution recognized by the UGC.
• “Graduate”: Having a Degree Certificate obtained by a University recognized by the UGC or a Degree Awarding
Institution recognized by the UGC belonged to the specialized Subject fields recognized by the Line Ministry in charge of
the Subject of Education in relation to the Teacher Appointments.
• “Pedagogy Trained Teacher’’:
• (a) Obtained the Certificate after successfully completing an Institutional Teacher Training Course (Pedagogic
Diploma Course) conducted for a duration of not less than three years from a Government College of Education ; or
• (b) Obtained a Certificate after successfully completing an Institutional Teacher Training Course approved by the Line
Ministry in charge of the Subject of Education conducted for a duration not less than two years ; or
• (c) Obtained the Certificate after successfully completing an Institutional Teacher Training Course by Distant
Education System approved by the Ministry conducted for a duration of not less than three years.
• “Diploma holder’’: Obtained the Certificate having completed a Diploma Course which is not a Post Graduate Diploma
in Education and awarded by an Institution recognized by the Line Ministry in charge of the subject of Education for the
respective issue and having a course duration of not less than two years and in a level not less than the NVQ Level 6
• "G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Qualified’’: Passed at least 3 subjects in one sitting from the G.C.E. (A/Level) Examination.
Source: http://www.edumin.sp.gov.lk/images/ten.pdf TEACHER SERVICE MINUTE – 2014
Interpretations
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8. Source: http://nec.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2-Final-.pdf (Sethunga et al., 2016)
Overview
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9. • National Diploma in Teaching (NDT)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd) Degrees
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Teacher Education (MTE) (MATE)
• Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)
• MPhil in Education & PhD in Education
Professional development opportunities
available for teachers and teacher educators
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10. Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework
SLQF
Source:
https://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac/do
wnloads/SLQF_2016_en.pdf
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11. •National Colleges of Education (NCOE) – Pre-service
•Universities (Faculties/Departments) – Pre-service / In-service
•National Institute of Education (NIE) – In-service
•Teacher Training Colleges (TTC) – In-service
•Teachers’ Centres (TC) – In-service – Continuing Education
Government Educational Institutions
Responsible for Teacher Education
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12. Teacher Education Programmes offered by
Universities under the UGC
Institution/Faculty/Dept. Pre-service In-service
Faculty of Education
- University of Colombo
BEd Special Degree PGDE; PGDE (DT); PGDE (TESL)
MEd; MEd (EM); MEd (TESOL)
Faculty of Education
- Open University of Sri Lanka
BEd (Hons) in NS; BEd (Hons) in DT
BEd (Hons) in SNE; BEd (Hons) in PE
PGDE; PGDSNE;
MEd; MEdSNE
Department of Education
- University of Peradeniya
-- PGDE; MEd
Department of Education
- Eastern University of Sri Lanka
BEd Special Degree MEd
Department of Education
- University of Jaffna
-- PGDE; MEd
Education Science Unit
- Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
-- PGDE
Universities
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13. Teacher Education Programmes offered by
other Government Universities/Institutes
• National Institute of Education (NIE)
• BEd; PGDE; PGDEM; MEd; MEdM
• University of Vocational Technology (UoVT)
(Teachers in the fields of Technical and Vocational Education)
• National Diploma in Technical Teacher Education
• BEd in Technology
• BEd in English Language Teaching
Other Universities / Institutes
13
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14. Teacher Education Programmes offered by
Degree Awarding Institution recognized by the UGC
• Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT)
• BEd Hons. in Physical Sc.; BEd Hons. in Biological Sc.; BEd Hons. in English
• Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC)
• BEd Hons. in Biological Sc.; BEd Hons. in Information Technology
• Horizon Campus
• BEd Hons.; BEd Hons. in Physical Sc.; BEd Hons. in Biological Sc.
• Aquinas College of Higher Studies
• BEd Hons. in English
Degree Awarding Institutions
Source: https://www.ugc.ac.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101&Itemid=37&lang=en
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15. National Diploma in Teaching (NDT)
• 19 National Colleges of Education (NCOE) - In specialized subject areas
• Caters to: Primary & Junior Secondary teacher requirements
• The NIE is responsible for guidance and monitoring the educational activities
• Duration: 3 Years (2 academic years and 1 year internship in schools)
• Curriculum: Academic -Professional/General Components/Action Research
• Annual output: 3500-4000 approx.
Pre-service - NCOE
Source: http://www.nie.lk/ncoe
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16. Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Faculty of Education, University of Colombo
• BEd Special Degree (1st year at the Faculty of Arts)
• Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka
• BEd (Hons.) in Natural Sciences
• BEd (Hons.) in Drama & Theatre
• BEd (Hons.) in Special Needs Education
• BEd (Hons.) in Primary Education
• Department of Education, Eastern University of Sri Lanka
• BEd Special Degree
• Enrolment Requirement: Passed GCE (A/L)
• Duration: 4 Years (SLQF Level 6)
• Curriculum: Academic/Professional/Teaching Practice/Research Project
• Annual Output (Overall): 1250 - 1300 approx.
Pre-service - Universities
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17. Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• Faculty of Education, University of Colombo
• PGDE [1 year]; PGDE (DT) [1 year]; PGDE (TESL) [1 year];
• Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka
• PGDE [15 Months]; PGDSNE [15 Months]
• Department of Education, University of Peradeniya
• PGDE [1 year]
• Enrolment Requirement: A First Degree
• Duration: 1 Year / 15 Months (SLQF Level 8)
• Curriculum: Professional/Teaching Practice/Research
• Annual Output (Overall): 3500 - 4000 approx.
In-service - Universities
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18. Masters Degrees in Education
• Faculty of Education, University of Colombo
• MEd [SLQL 9]; MEd in Edu. Management [SLQL 10]
• Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka
• MEd [SLQL 9]; MEd in SNE [SLQL 10]; MA in Education [SLQL 10]; *MTE [SLQL 9]
• Department of Education, University of Peradeniya - MEd [SLQL 9]
• Department of Education, University of Jaffna - MEd [SLQL 9]
• Department of Education, Eastern University of Sri Lanka - MEd [SLQL 9]
• Enrolment Requirement: PGDE / BEd
• Duration: 1 Year (SLQF Level 9 ); 2 Years (SLQF Level 10)
• Curriculum: Academic/Professional/Research Project
• Annual Output (Overall): 700 – 800 approx.
In-service - Universities
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19. National Institute of Education
Dept. of Teacher Education [Part-time PD Courses for Teachers in the System]
• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Enrolment requirement: NDT (NCOE) + 3 Years teaching experience
• Duration: 3 Years
• Curriculum: Academic/Professional/Teaching Practice/Research Project
• Annual Output: 2500 - 3000 approx.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• Enrolment requirement: First Degree
• Duration: 18 Months
• Curriculum: Professional/Teaching Practice/Action Research Project
• Annual Output: 3000 approx.
• Masters Degree in Education (MEd)
• Duration: 1 Year
• Curriculum: Academic/ Professional /Research Project
• Annual Output: 200 approx.
In-service - NIE
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<http://nie.lk/courses>

20. Teacher Training Colleges
• 09 Teacher Training Colleges (TTC)
• Purpose: To provide in-service training to non-graduate teachers
• Target group: Non-graduate untrained teachers in the system
• Offers 21 different subject specific training programmes
• Duration: 2 Years
• Residential training
• Annual student enrolment varies depending on the subject areas
In-service - TTC
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21. Teacher Centres – Continuing Education
• 105 Teacher Centres (TC)
• Target group: All teachers in the system
• Purpose: To provide continuing teacher education to improve and
update teachers’ professional and academic competencies.
• Functions under the purview of Zonal Education Offices in each
Province
• Administration: Teacher Education Administration Branch of the
Ministry of Education
In-service - TC
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22. Present Pathways
Source: http://nec.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2-Final-.pdf (Sethunga et al., 2016)
Summary
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23. Future Pathways
Source: http://nec.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2-Final-.pdf (Sethunga et al., 2016)
Proposed
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24. Recent Proposals for Comprehensive and
Standardized Teacher Development
a. Streamline learning pathways to gain accreditation as a teacher, such that the equivalent of a
Bachelor’s in Education is required to teach.
b. ‘Teacher Service’ established as a core government service, to give it its due recognition.
c. Develop guidelines for the training and qualification of pre-school teachers in line with NEC and NIE
requirements, focusing on provision for the protection and well-being of children, development of
personal and social skills, as well as ensuring inclusivity for children with special needs.
d. Teachers to compulsorily receive training on the following aspects:
• Digital tools and digitalising content on the integrated LMS.
• Alternative teaching methodologies to accommodate varied learning styles and abilities, to ensure
an inclusive education – for instance, ensuring that students with learning disabilities are
identified and catered towards.
• The provision of psycho-social support to students.
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Source: Reimagining Education Sri Lanka - Presidential Task Force (2020)
http://nec.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/6.Re-imagining-Education-Sri-Lanka-Summary-Report-by-Presidential-Task-Force.pdf

25. Sources of Information
• Jeya, S. (n.d.) History of Teacher Education in Sri Lanka.
https://www.academia.edu/8945366/History_of_Teacher_Education_in_Sri_Lanka
• Ministry of Education https://www.moe.gov.lk/
• National Education Commission http://nec.gov.lk/en
• National Institute of Education http://nie.lk/
• Reimagining Education Sri Lanka - Presidential Task Force (2020) http://nec.gov.lk/wp-
content/uploads/2020/10/6.Re-imagining-Education-Sri-Lanka-Summary-Report-by-Presidential-Task-
Force.pdf
• School Census Report http://www.statistics.gov.lk/Education/StaticalInformation/SchoolCensus/2019
• Sethunga, P, Wijesundera, S., Kalamany, T. & Karunanayaka, S. (2016). Study on the professional
development of teachers and teacher educators in Sri Lanka (NEC Research) http://nec.gov.lk/wp-
content/uploads/2016/04/2-Final-.pdf
• Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (2016) https://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac/downloads/SLQF_2016_en.pdf
• Teacher Service Minute (2014) http://www.edumin.sp.gov.lk/images/ten.pdf
• Towards a New Education Act: Context, Issues & Proposals (2017) http://nec.gov.lk/wp-
content/uploads/2017/12/Towards-a-New-Education-Act.pdf
• University Grants Commission Sri Lanka https://www.ugc.ac.lk/
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