UNICEF working with Sri Lanka to assess damage to schools
View(s):A third round of discussions with representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is due shortly where a proper assessment of the damage caused to schools will be made available to obtain the necessary assistance to rebuild them, Deputy Minister of Education Dr Madura Seneviratne said.
He said that the UN organisation has pledged to assist in rebuilding damaged school buildings as well as renovating ones that have been partially damaged. The assistance will also extend to building temporary schools in place of those that have to be relocated due to threat of landslides.
The Deputy Minister said while two rounds of talks have been held with the UNICEF, the proper estimates of the damages are still unavailable while recommendations are due from the National Building Research Organistaion (NBRO) on the safety of the lands on which the schools are located.
Around 1,400 schools are either fully destroyed, partially damaged or need to be relocated.
He added that all schools will reopen on January 5 for 2026 while in some of the worst affected areas in Hanguranketha, Udu Walawe and Walapane, school reopening may be delayed. Several countries including Japan and China have pledged funds to assists in rebuilding educational institutes. These countries will channel the funds through UN organisations or NGOs. (DW)
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