'Schoolchildren, focal point of educational programmes'

Schoolchildren will be given priority in all programmes to promote education and knowledge implemented under the Mahinda Chinthana future vision programme.

Setting up of 1,000 secondary schools with two to three schools per each divisional secretariat division is part of this programme, Rural Affairs Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne said.

He was speaking at a meeting after laying the foundation stone for a new computer unit costing over Rs 4 million at the Ganetenna Maha Vidyalaya, Mawanella, recently. Minister Seneviratne, who proposed that a multi purpose education system should be formulated for all students pursuing school education, said another 25 technological universities will be opened in the country. He said the rate of computer use which was only six to seven percent of the population during the last seven years, has increased to 30 percent of the population.

It had been planned to increase this to 75 percent by 2015. Minister Seneviratne said the new computer unit is being established on his initiative to mark the 120th anniversary of the school.

He requested students to make the best use of the facilities with care and hand them over for the use of future generations. Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Harsha Siyambalapitiya was also present.