There were 2,418 openings for secondary and primary level officers and 880 openings for senior and tertiary level officers in the Education Ministry, according to data from the Auditor General’s Department in the ministry’s 2024 Performance Report.

There were 544 senior-level, 26 tertiary-level, 262 secondary-level, and 106 primary-level vacancies in the National Colleges of Education (NCoEs). According to the Auditor General’s observations, the ministry failed to include these positions in the anticipated 2025 recruitment strategy and failed to assess the authorized number of openings for these positions.

Additionally, 1,080 lecturer jobs in the Sri Lanka Teacher Education Service were authorized, based on comprehensive staff data pertaining to National Education Institutes. As of April 30, however, it was noted that 539 posts had been filled, leaving 541 lecture positions unfilled. Additionally, it was noted that several NCoEs continued to employ external lecturers between the ages of 63 and 70 by extending their employment contracts every six months. According to the Auditor General, the ministry failed to adequately address this issue, despite the fact that it had a substantial impact on the training that trainees at the National Colleges of Education received. (SJ)