Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2012-05-23

Establishment of the South Asian Centre for Teacher Development (SACTAD) in Sri Lanka as a Category - 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO

- the objective of setting up of this centre in Sri Lanka will be to contribute to improving the quality of education in Sri Lanka and in the South Asian Region, through high quality teacher development. It is expected to enroll 200 local participants and 200 foreign participants each year for long term professional courses. This centre is to provide full time residential courses as follows:

* Master in Teacher Education (one year/full time);
* Postgraduate Diploma in Teacher Education (one year/full time);
* Short Term Refresher Courses for Continuing Teacher Education (three months each/at least two courses per year); and,
* Thematic Courses (5 - 12 days each/at least four courses per year).

the above proposal made by Hon. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Education was approved by the Cabinet. The total cost of the project amounting to Rs.587 million will be met with financial provision to be provided under the Medium Term Budgetary Provision 2013-2016.