Sharp decline in school drop-out rate in Hambantota

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The school drop-out rate in Hambantota is rapidly declining which is a positive sign, said Regional Director, World Vision Lunugamwehera project, Aruna Liyanage. He said the rate reduced by nearly 12 percent over the last four years.

Aruna Liyanae

School leavers at Hambantota Job Fair   Pix by Shirajiv Sirimane

Speaking at the Hambantota Job Fair he said the main reason for this positive turnaround is the development that is taking place in the area. "Both youth and parents have now changed their mindset and are concentrating more on education since there are opportunities in multiple sectors that were not even thought of a decade ago."

Liyanage said that one of the main reasons for the district to have a 24 percent school drop-out rate over a decade ago was because parents wanted their children to get involved in traditional agriculture.

"However, parents have now realised that educating children would create a better future for them."

He added that World Vision too have conducted several guidance programs for both parents and children which were quite successful.He said if the youth in the area are not ready and geared to meet the recruitment demand of the future, youth from other areas will seize these opportunities.

"This would be very unfair to the youth of Hambantota; the Hambantota Job Fair is organised to gear the youth of the area for future employment." The fair that provided employment opportunities as well as counselling and guiding for the youth was a major success.