Deputy Minister pays surprise visit

Ananda Hapugoda, Bandarawela group corr.

Education Deputy Minister Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa paid a surprise visit to the Bandarawela National School and found instant solutions to several burning problems recently.

The Deputy Minister found that the hostellers numbering 73 students were lacking toilet and other basic facilities. Three teachers were occupying at a section of the hostel and some of the inhouse toilets too had been locked up and reserved for them while students of the hostel had to walk a distance through a thicket to use some other toilets.

Moreover there was no wall or security fence around the hostel and the students were living in eternal fear of possible intruders, specially at night. The hostel was administered by an Assistant Matron as the Principal had refused to hand over duties to the Official Matron appointed by the State.

The Deputy Minister held discussions with the Principal and directed the Principal to erect a security fence around the hostel with the assistance of the School Development Society.

He also directed the Principal to keep the hostel premises exclusively for students by getting the three teachers including the Vice Principal to leave the hostel premises. The Deputy Minister also directed the Principal to clear up the sewage system with the help of the Bandarawela UC.