The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) welcomed Sri Lanka as its latest member today.
“The Global Partnership for Education looks forward to working with the government of Sri Lanka and a wide range of development partners to get more children, particularly girls, into school and to improve the quality of learning for all children.
“We will support Sri Lanka’s efforts to develop the knowledge and skills required for a growing and vibrant economy,” said Laura Frigenti, GPE’s Chief Executive Officer.
“The Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka is pleased to hear that GPE has accepted Sri Lanka as a member. We are immensely thankful for enabling Sri Lanka to join the largest global fund and unique multi-stakeholder partnership.
“We are delighted to obtain expertise and support from the GPE with our ongoing processes adding strength for meeting the gaps in the General Education Sector,” said Mr. Nihal Ranasingha, Secretary of Education at the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka.
For decades successive governments of Sri Lanka implemented a free education policy in the country, expanded schooling facilities and supported student welfare programs by providing free mid-day meals, subsidized transport, free textbooks and uniforms, with the ultimate goal of ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality general education for every school-age child in the country.
The sudden economic downturn, on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, worsened existing challenges in the education system, disproportionately affecting schoolchildren. In a context of fiscal austerity, health, hygiene and nutritional conditions have negatively affected children’s participation in school, learning and psychosocial wellbeing.
Sri Lanka is eligible to apply for GPE grants including the system capacity grant (up to US$2.7 million) and the GPE Multiplier (up to US$30 million).
