1,382 schools affected by Cyclone Ditwah: PM
View(s):A total of 1,382 schools have been directly affected by Cyclone Ditwah, according to statistics available as at December 17, Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament on Friday.
Giving an update on the damage caused to the education sector from the disaster, she added that the vast majority of the affected schools were in the Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.
A total of 666 of the affected schools remain closed even after the resumption of schools in the island, though that number has now gone up following the decision to close all schools in the Central Province on December 19 and 22 due to adverse weather conditions experienced in the province, the Premier said.
One of the main objectives in reopening schools wherever it was possible to safely do so, was to help with the psychological recovery of children as well by gradually getting them back into the familiar routine of school life, Dr Amarasuriya said. She stressed that zonal education officials, principals and teachers have been issued strict instructions that the reopening of schools on this occasion should not be treated as a normal reopening where syllabuses are covered and examinations are held. “We have issued them a set of instructions informing them that they should use this time period to strengthen the psychological wellbeing of the children,” she emphasised.
Meanwhile, an allowance of Rs 25, 000, comprising Rs 10, 000 from the President’s Fund and Rs 15, 000 from the Treasury will be provided to each affected child to help them obtain school books, stationery and uniforms. (SJ)
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