🎓 Govt. Plans Rs. 382 Bn Capital Expenditure for Education Reforms

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to prioritize vocational education in the upcoming 2027 Budget, reviewing a massive Rs. 382 billion investment blueprint for the education sector spanning 2027–2031. Key Allocations & Metrics: • 2027–2031 Investment: Rs. 382 billion planned over five years, including a flagship Digital Transformation Project. • 2026 Budget Baseline: Total ministry allocation stood at Rs. 303 billion, comprising Rs. 160 billion for general education, Rs. 122 billion for higher education, and Rs. 20 billion for vocational education. • Vocational Education Record: Received its largest-ever capital allocation of Rs. 8 billion in 2026, drawing 57,959 student enrollments across 310 state institutions in H1 2026. Strategic Directives & Sector Focus: • Expansion Plans: Focus on boosting student intake, allocating a permanent site for the Ocean University, and expanding the University of Vocational Technology. • Fiscal Discipline: Foreign-funded projects must strictly align with national policies and avoid adding to the national debt burden. • Disaster Recovery: A Rs. 1.9 billion rehabilitation programme has commenced for 20 schools and colleges damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. • Welfare & HR: Plans underway to increase financial aid for special needs students, raise teacher-student allowances, and appoint a special commission to resolve public sector salary anomalies and staff shortages.