The government is working to bring a new bill making the 13-year school education compulsory for every student, said the Minister of State Enterprise Development Eran Wickremerathne.

He said that many students leave school in grade eight or after the ordinary level exam. Thereafter they engage in low salaried jobs or vocations and the government is trying to bring this bill to eliminate this situation said the minister at a press conference held yesterday (8th March) at the Department of Government Information.

There are over 150,000 vacancies in the factories in the free trade zones as well as in other places but there are no trained labors to fill these vacancies. This situation has occurred due to our education not developing to cater to the needs of the economy. Therefore every student should be given a technical and vocational training according to their liking said the minister.

At present only around 25,000 get admission to university and it should be increased to 50,000. Since the government is not in a position to increase the intake private and non-governmental organizations should be permitted to start higher education institutes said the minister.