Circular governing financial contributions for school development to be amended

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Circulars governing the calling for contributions for school development activities has to be revised, said Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.

Addressing the media yesterday at the Chief Ministers Office, the Chief Minister said there are circulars under which financial contributions could be called for from parents .

“According to the circular, students who have financial problems are exempted from making these contributions. But these circulars should be revised and it is necessary to introduce a new procedure providing for contributions being made in installments. The amount of money should also be controlled.” said the minister.

Commenting on the investigation report on the Coconut robbery by a 13 year old student of Sri Medhankara Vidyalaya, Horana, the Chief Minister said the principal and the class teacher have been cleared a of all allegations as they haven’t done anything outside the circulars. The statement given by the girl to the police is a false statement and there is no connection between this incident and the school.

“According to the investigation report, the school didn’t charge facilities or service fees from this girl. Even before the incident, the girl has come to the close attention of the teachers,” said the minister.

He also said that the highest amount of money allocated by the Western Provincial council is for education.

Under the Supahan Nimthera Education Development Programme, the Western Provincial Council provided Rs. 90 million in 2012 for rehabilitation activities of schools that came under the Western Provincial Council.