Strengthening Educational Ties: COL-CEMCA Facilitates India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Exchange
A two-week Capacity Development Programme for Educational Administrative Service Officers from Sri Lanka concluded on 20 June 2025, marking a significant milestone in regional educational cooperation. Organised jointly by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) and the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), the initiative brought together 20 mid-career officers engaged in school supervision, management, and policy planning across Sri Lanka.
Running from 9 to 20 June 2025, the programme was designed to bridge a long-standing professional development gap among middle-tier officers, offering international exposure to modern educational practices, leadership strategies, and systemic reforms. The intensive training featured a blend of expert lectures, experiential learning, case studies, field visits, and interactive sessions.
The programme commenced with a high-level inaugural session addressed by senior representatives from NIEPA and CEMCA. Dr B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, in his address, highlighted the pivotal role of educators as architects of nation-building, stating, “Teachers shape national development by instilling values, fostering critical thinking, and promoting social cohesion. Their contributions significantly advance the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through inclusive and quality education.” The address acknowledged India’s NEP 2020 reforms and Sri Lanka’s legacy of educational leadership, emphasising decentralised school-based management. Dr Shadrach called for stronger Indo-Lanka educational exchanges, mutual learning, and shared digital innovation to drive transformative change across education systems.
The inaugural session was followed by thematic sessions led by esteemed experts. The key topics included educational leadership, policy planning, quality assurance, digital integration, inclusive education, and change management. The participants also visited premier institutions such as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), State Council of Educational Research and Training, Delhi, Central Institute of Educational Technology, and National Institute of Open Schooling, gaining hands-on insights into India’s education governance and technological advancements. At CBSE, the Chairperson, Secretary and Directors of all Departments addressed the participants and provided a thorough brief of their roles and workings.
A notable highlight was the Provincial Planning group work, allowing officers to create and present contextually relevant education improvement plans. The sessions were supplemented by team-building exercises and reflections, reinforcing the programme’s collaborative spirit.
The programme concluded with a memorable valedictory ceremony on 20 June 2025, followed by a dinner reception hosted by COL-CEMCA. Her Excellency Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, graced both the valedictory and the reception as the Guest of Honour, alongside other distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Mrutyunjay Behera, Economic Advisor (Higher Education), Ministry of Education, Government of India. The ceremony featured heartfelt participant testimonials reflecting on their transformative experiences, the distribution of certificates, and inspiring addresses by Dr B. Shadrach, Director, CEMCA, and Shri Surya Narayan Mishra, Registrar, NIEPA.
The programme reflected a shared commitment to empowering education leaders with strategic capabilities to drive systemic improvements in their home countries. With strong networks and a global perspective, the participants are now poised to implement transformative practices within Sri Lanka’s evolving educational landscape.
