SLBFE scholarship scheme to expand

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The scholarship scheme initiated by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) for schoolchildren of migrant workers will be expanded for the benefit of school leavers and school drop-outs who expect to follow vocational training courses at Government approved institutions. Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera told the Sunday Observer that Bureau statistics reveal that a large number of school leavers and school drop-outs of migrant workers need assistance to follow vocational training courses.

"Considering the invaluable services rendered by Sri Lankan migrant workers, we will commence this program shortly and the children of migrant workers who are interested in following vocational courses could obtain details from the Bureau Head office at Battaramulla,".

Referring to the Bureau's annual scholarship scheme, SLBFE, Chairman, Kingsley Ranawaka said that 1,579 children in Grade five, GCE (Ordinary Level) and (Advanced Level) were offered scholarships to the value of over Rs. 38 million last year.

He said Rs. 15,000, Rs. 20,000, and Rs. 30,000 are granted as scholarships for children who passed the Grade five, GCE (O/L) and (A/L) examinations respectively.