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by Manjula Fernando

The Education Ministry has brought the prevailing stipulations for admission to Grade I under close scrutiny. Proof of residence for six years, which parents have stressed is 'illogical' is likely to be reduced drastically

School Education Minister Suranimala Rajapaksa said yesterday that some of the regulations in the admission policy were not very practical especially for schools in the suburban and rural areas.

"For example the regulation which requires to prove that you are a resident for six years in the given address is irrational for suburban area students since unlike in the heart of Colombo many families are constantly on the move for various reasons. We are considering a reduction to four years," the Minister said.

Parents and public organisations have repeatedly asked for a repeal of these illogical stipulations. They were driving parents to break the law.

The Ministry is expected to call for a public debate on the issue before any amendments are brought in. A committee will also be appointed shortly to review the policy and make recommendations.

Minister Rajapaksa said the ground work to develop a selected number of schools in the Colombo suburbs as alternative centres to reduce the congestion in Colombo popular schools would be prepared soon. Their infrastructure facilities and the academic cadre will be strengthened under the project which is to get off the ground in line with the Ministry's 100 day program.

In addition steps will be taken to strengthen and expand hostel facilities in leading schools islandwide so as to benefit particularly the Grade five scholarship winners from rural schools.

This decision follows a Ministry study which revealed that many financially handicapped rural students who excel at the Grade five scholarship examination miss their chance to go to a leading school due to inadequate hostel facilities.

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