School sports activities hampered by shortage of coaches in Sri Lanka

A significant shortage of sports teachers and coaches is hampering athletic activities in numerous schools across Sri Lanka, according to reports from both rural and urban areas. This deficit is reportedly causing a slowdown in school sports programs, raising concerns about the pipeline for developing national-level talent.

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There is a shortage of sports teachers and sports coaches in many schools in the country.

Sources within the Ministry of Education indicate that the lack of qualified personnel is a pressing issue. Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Madura Seneviratne, acknowledged the widespread shortage and stated that the ministry is working on a comprehensive plan to revitalize school sports. A dedicated committee is expected to be appointed to oversee this initiative.

To address the gap, the Ministry of Education is in discussions with the Ministry of Sports to integrate sports coaches into school activities. Plans are being considered to deploy coaches to multiple schools, leveraging their expertise to support student athletes. This collaboration aims to bolster the sports infrastructure within educational institutions.

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We are working to prepare a common plan for school sports to uplift sports in schools, and a separate committee is to be appointed for that purpose.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education announced plans to recruit a larger number of teachers for various subjects throughout the country this year. The deputy minister also noted that issues related to the distribution of teachers across different subjects and regions are being reviewed and addressed to ensure a more balanced and effective educational system overall.

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Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Sports to involve sports coaches in school sports activities.