Highly competitive admission to popular Colombo schools sidelines poor children: President Sirisena
View(s):President Maithripala Sirisena said a large number of children of low income households in Colombo, are deprived of the opportunity to study at their nearest school, due to the competition for admission into popular schools in Colombo.
President presents the award for the best all-rounder student
The President, as Chief Guest at the annual Prize-Giving of Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy, on Wednesday said, “The Government is giving the necessary resources to all schools in the country, to reduce the competition for leading schools, and safeguard the rights of all children to Education, without any barriers. These adverse conditions of competition for Education should be changed quickly.”
“Similar to the way you pass exams, you should be successful in life by understanding life’s challenges and barriers and face them with self-confidence,” extolled the President. Recalling a newspaper report on the suicide of a 10-year-old schoolgirl, President Sirisena said that Sri Lanka has the highest suicide rate. He said all responsible persons should pay attention to this, to save society.
The President further saidthat every Government is bound to give all children in the country their right to Education, not only in accordance with international charters but also under the Constitution. The President was warmly welcomed by the students, and offered a guard of honour by the Girl Guides and the Air Force Cadets on arrival
Central Province (CP) Deputy Postmaster General Rajitha Ranasinghe presented the President with the commemorative stamp and the First Day Cover issued to mark the occasion, while the School’s Principal Mrs. E.W.L.K. Egodawela presented a souvenir to the President. CP Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, CP Minister Thilina Bandara Thennakoon and Kandy District Secretary H.M.P. Hitisekara were among those who graced the occasion. - L.B.Senaratne
Principal of the School Ms. E.W.L.K. Egodawela presents a souvenir to the President