More funds to develop schools

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Money will be allocated from the upcoming budget to further develop 6,000 schools, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

The minister said so at an event held at Temple Trees on Thursday where educational equipment and books were distributed among 66 schools to mark President Mahinda Rajapaksa's 66th birthday. Speaking at the event held under the President's patronage, the minister said that this year too, large allocations would be made from the budget to develop education in line with the President's vision of making Sri Lanka a knowledge hub.

He emphasised that the government's intention is to provide equal educational facilities and resources to all parts of the country.

Speaking on the development enacted in the past, the minister said that arrangements have been made to fully equip secondary schools in every DS division. Under the President's guidance, giant strides have been taken to develop education, he said and predicted further impressive achievements in the coming years.

He noted that the government has identified education as the path to develop a child who would be an asset and not a burden to society.

The minister added that with this in mind, the President at all times gives highest priority to education.