WB to improve 1,000 schools countrywide

by Ranil WIJAYAPALA

In a bid to create more schools equipped with both physical and human resources the Government will improve 1,000 schools countrywide with assistance from the World Bank, as a solution for the big demand for popular schools among students, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Observer .

The Minister said President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to make this proposal in the next Budget.

"World Bank officials at a meeting held recently at the Parliament complex with the participation of its Resident Coordinator agreed to provide Rs. 60 million to develop each school from Grade 6 to 13 under this program", the Minister added.

He said with the implementation of this project there will be one popular school with all physical and human resources for each five to six schools in the country.

"We also intend to improve number of schools in the war ravaged areas in the North and the East also under this program", the Minister said.

He said many parents are struck with the myth of popular schools, when the best results from Grade five scholarship exam, G.C.E. (O/L) and A/L are reported from the schools outside Colombo city.

He said many popular schools have emerged with the implementation of programs under various governments to improve the schools in remote areas and also within cities as alternative to the so-called popular schools.