School disparities to be minimised

Mohammed NAALIR

COLOMBO: The Colombo Education Zone consist of schools both with modern facilities as well as schools without a building for itself, said Western Province Chief Minister Reginold Cooray.

The Chief Minister made these observations during an inspection tour of the Colombo Education Zone. There are hundreds of underprivileged families living in the Wanathamulla area and the school of this area has been housed in a old tea store building with numerous shortcomings.

Minister Cooray promised that the location will be converted into a fully equipped school building to cater to the needs of the underprivileged children in Wanathamulla area to carryout their studies without any difficulties.

Estimates will be prepared to renovate the building shortly, he said.

COLOMBO: Minister of Higher Education Prof. Wiswa Warnapala has instructed the Management of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education to expedite the construction work of the Kegalle Building Project (Stage I), as it will ultimately benefit thousands of students, living in the Kegalle District and suburbs to get themselves involved in various fields of Advanced Technological Studies.

It is the considered opinion of the Minister of Higher Education that Advanced Technological Studies should not be a privilege only for the kith and kin of the elite of society but the benefits of this education should also reach the children of the lower-income groups.

This multi-million project which is coming up at Bandaranayake Mawatha, Kegalle is expected to be geared for operation in January 2008. It can accommodate 300 students for a session and will consist of six class rooms, an office area and a store room.

The second stage of the project is expected to add more facilities for the student population.