'Communal, religious and gender basis to be done away':

Categorisation of schools out soon - Bandula

Indika Polkotuwa

The categorisation of schools on communal, religious and gender basis will be done away with in the future, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

He was addressing a meeting at Nugawela MMV which was transformed into a secondary school by amalgamating it with Nugawela Balika Vidyalaya and Nugawela (Boys) Maha Vidyalaya recently.

The minister said up to now, three percent of all schools in the country have been categorised as boys and girls schools while the balance 97 percent were mixed schools.

"Accordingly, out of 9,731 schools, 339 have been divided into boys and girls schools while the balance 9,392 were mixed schools. When universities, Daham Pasalas, technical colleges and other educational institutions have no gender bar, all schools too should follow suit by transforming into mixed schools," he said.

The minister said the creation of 1,000 secondary schools under the Mahinda Chintana was an historic event in the country's education sector.

"The selection of Nugawela MMV as the first school to be converted into a secondary school this year, is an historic event for the Harispattuwa electorate," Gunawardena said.

The minister said Kandy Dharmaraja Vidyalaya launched with the Buddhist revival, is the only national school with the largest student population in the country from Grades 1 to 13.

"Nugawela MMV is one of the most popular schools started under the Central Schools concept of the late C W W Kannangara. It will be developed at a cost of Rs 65 million and equipped with all modern facilities," he said. All trained graduate teachers needed by it would be appointed within this year, the minister said.

Central Province Govenor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa said the education sector has been transformed towards a new direction today.

"Nugawela MMV will achieve great progress and command a big demand among parents and children in the future," he said.

Principal W K Rajapaksa also spoke. Provincial council members Ediriweera Weerawardena, Anura Fernando and Gunatilleke Rajapaksa were also present.