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“Subjects of Aesthetics, Information Technology or Accounting will not be removed from curriculum” – PM
While responding to a question raised in the Parliament today (23) Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that the previous regime had not developed a plan to implement the education reforms presented. “Therefore, we expect to review those reforms, make necessary alternatives for a positive transformation in education and implement it from 2026 onwards”.
“We look forward to revising the content of subjects such as aesthetics, information technology and accounting to a more appropriate level rather than removing them from the curriculum. These subjects should be available in the curriculum”, she highlighted.
Dr. Amarasuriya claimed that special emphasis must be given to teacher training. Attention has already been given on reducing the gap between schools through the establishment of infrastructure needed by schools and on the content of the school curriculum. “It is our objective to create an environment where a child admitted to a school can have an educational experience that paves the way to the wide world in front of him or her” she expressed.
The curriculum is being revised in keeping with educational reform proposals. Accordingly, the curriculum will be revised in such a way that the number of subjects currently studied by the students and the pressure laden on them through the assessment process are minimized. The ultimate goal is to provide non-burdening practical education to children rather than an examination-centric system.
In terms of higher education, the Premier expressed hope for expanding higher education opportunities in the fields of science, technology and vocational training. “In this regard, we have focused more on improving the quality of vocational education that directly contributes to the country’s economy” she explained.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who stated that steps have been taken to provide footwear to selected 700,000 school children across the island.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Aryna Sabalenka will have the chance to become the first woman in 26 years to win three successive Australian Open titles after reaching the Melbourne final with a commanding win over Paula Badosa.
Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, who previously described Badosa as her “soulmate”, recovered from an early setback to win 6-4 6-2.
Badosa, contesting her first major semi-final, quickly went 2-0 up but the Spanish 11th seed would win just four of the next 16 games.
Sabalenka will face Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys in the final, where she will aim to emulate Martina Hingis’ three straight titles between 1997-99.
“Just saying that, I have goosebumps. I am so proud of myself and my team that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation,” Sabalenka said.
“It’s a privilege and if I will be able to put my name in the history [books] it’s going to mean the world to me.
“At first I was dreaming to win at least one Grand Slam and now I have this opportunity and it’s incredible.”
It was a 20th straight victory at the Australian Open for two-time defending champion Sabalenka.
Sabalenka will keep her world number one ranking if Swiatek loses in the semi-finals – and if the Pole advances, the winner of Saturday’s championship match will take the top spot.
Should Swiatek join Sabalenka in the final, it would be the first time since 2018 that the Australian Open women’s final has featured the top two seeds.
Badosa, having stunned American third seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals, benefitted in the early stages as a tense Sabalenka conceded an immediate break of serve with four unforced errors.
Badosa was within a point of taking a 3-0 lead before Sabalenka switched up a gear.
The three-time major winner then took charge, reeling off four games in a row and was unrelenting from there.
Despite their off-court relationship, both players gave little away, barely exchanging a glance as they stayed focused on their respective tasks.
But, in a rare glimpse into their friendship, they shared relieved smiles after Badosa fell at the start of the second set before raising a reassuring thumb as she lay on the court.
What started as a fiercely-contested match began to drift away from Badosa when she gifted Sabalenka control of set two, conceding a break of serve with back-to-back double faults
Another double fault in the fifth game gave Sabalenka a chance for a second break, which she grabbed with one of her 32 winners before serving out victory in one hour and 26 minutes.
Sabalenka, who was later seen consoling Badosa in the players’ area, said: “It was a super tough match against a friend, I’m super happy to see her at her highest level.
“After a couple of battles against each other we have spoken and decided to put it aside, and here we both wanted it badly.”
[BBC]
The Commissioner General of Examinations announced that the results of the 2024 Grade Five [05] Scholarship Examination has been released online.
The West Indies are moving on, qualifying for the Super Sixes as they pick up their first World Cup win.
In what was a win-and-in scenario for both sides, the Caribbean outfit held their nerve to take care of hosts Malaysia by 53 runs in Kuala Lumpur, finishing third in Group A.
Malaysia made a strong account of themselves early, with an energetic fielding display that kept the West Indies top order in check. They were held to 37-1 at the 10-over mark, but West Indies managed to raise the tempo as the innings continued to unfold.
Opener Asabi Callender led the way with 30 off 42, before being beaten with a beautiful ball from Nur Izzatul Syafiqa.
The batting side were assisted by the 27 runs in extras Malaysia conceded. But the hosts fought valiantly, taking seven wickets to restrict West Indies to 112-7 at the end of the 20 overs.
Malaysia got off to a promising start with the bat, held together by captain Nur Dania Syuhada’s presence at the crease. But when she departed for 12 off 17 balls, the lineup collapsed.
The hosts were all out for 59 off 18 overs, thanks to some strong bowling from West Indies skipper Samara Ramnath who took 6-4 from her four overs.
Malaysia will hold their heads high after showing improvement throughout the tournament. They’ll now prepare to play Nepal in a 4th Place Playoff match tomorrow.
The West Indies move forward and play Australia this Saturday in their first Super Sixes match.
Brief scores:
West Indies Women Under 19s 112/7 in 20 overs [Asabi Callender 30, Jahzara Claxton 19, Abigail Bryce 14; Nur Dania Syuhada 1-16, Siti Nazwah 2-28, Fatin Faqihah Adani 1-10, Nur Izzatful Syafiqa 2-26] beat Malaysia Women Under 19s 59 in 18 overs [Nur Dania Syahada 12; Jahzara Claxton 1-09, Samara Ramnath 4-06, Naijanni Cumberbatch 2-14, Erin Deane 2-07] by 53 runs
Sabalenka beats close friend Badosa to reach final
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