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UNICEF moots 'Every Child in School' programme

by Manjula Fernando

The UNICEF has earmarked Rs.219,765 million to achieve its educational targets in Sri Lanka for 2003 and 2004.

The first major programme to be implemented at the beginning of this year is "Every Child in School" aimed at ensuring education for all children aged between 5 to 14.

UNICEF Resident Representative Ted Chaiban at a media conference held yesterday at Isurupaya, Battaramulla said they plan to ensure that all children receive basic education with primary education level as a minimum.

He said: "The programme covers the whole island but special emphasis has been given to the North and East due to the conflict."

Education Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku who presided over the press conference said they expect additional enrolment to Grade One from the North-East this year due to the prevailing peaceful atmosphere.

"We have to double our efforts to meet this demand and rehabilitation work continues in government and LTTE controlled areas without any objections form the LTTE. Rs.1000 million from foreign donors has been set apart to develop damaged school buildings of the North East," the Minister said.

"With the return of peace to these areas there will be more demand for education and we appreciate the help extended by donors to rebuild the education sector."

The Minister said that action has already been taken to recruit teachers to redress the acute shortage of teachers, rehabilitate damaged buildings and rekindle the non-formal education sector to address the issue of educating the over aged children.

The UNICEF program will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education.

Representatives from school communities and general masses as well as students will be assigned to seek non-school going children in places such as welfare centres, inaccessible areas and border villages, working children, children in institutions and the disabled.

As a symbolic gesture to mark the launch of their programme, school kits will be distributed among 75,000 Grade One entrants in the North and East at special ceremonies to be held simultaneously on January 9 at three Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim schools in the Trincomalee district.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will preside over the ceremony.

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