Plans to reduce number of subjects for GCE O/L

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - Speaking in Monaragala yesterday (June 15), Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that the ministry intends to make certain changes with regard to the G.C.E. Ordinary level curriculum. He stated that they are planning on reducing the current 9 subjects in the curriculum to 6 as the teachers are unable to teach certain subjects. He added that some syllabuses cannot be covered in one year, so they have decided to take out unnecessary sections and include the areas which would be useful for the future. The Minister further noted that steps have been taken to introduce 26 professional subjects in the near future. Anunayake of the Malwatu chapter of the Siam sect, most venerable Dimbul Kumbure Wimaladharma thera responded to this statement during a discussion with former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse. Most. Ven. Wimaladhamma Thera stated that the government is planning on reducing subjects such as Buddhism, literature, and history from the Ordinary level exam and questioned how the government hopes to provide education in these areas after enacting such decisions.