National Security Advisor and Chief of Staff to the President, Sagala Ratnayaka, yesterday (11) visited the school for the deaf and blind in Ratmalana.
The visit, made together with Vision 2048 officials, was the launching pad for a programme led by Ratnayaka on the President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instructions to inquire into and address needs of youths with special needs.
He spoke to the students and teaching staff of the school and inspected the ongoing training courses in bakery, carpentry, dressmaking, beauty culture as well as braille courses.
Officials were given instructions in coordination with the National Youth Services Council, Air Force and the police to update these training courses to levels three and four of the NVQ.
The provision and maintenance of educational and sports training facilities for the students were also looked into.
The school currently has classes up to GCE ordinary level only, and its principal raised the possibility of conducting advanced level classes too.
Ratnayake immediately got in touch with the education ministry and discussed the matter with its officials.
He promised to consult the education minister and his officials to formulate a permanent mechanism in that regard.
Ratnayake added that policies would be formulated at state level to develop other educational centres for children with special needs as well.
Dr. Lasantha Gunawardena, Chairman of National Youth Services Council Pasindu Gunaratne and officials of the Navy, Police and Youth Vision 2048 too, participated in the visit.
