ADB funds to set up 1,000 popular schools

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released US $ 40 million in 2014 for the Mahindodaya Secondary Schools development project to upgrade 1,000 schools countrywide as popular schools. Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the total funds approved for the project which will be completed in 2016 is US $ 200 million. The selected schools will be upgraded to the standard of popular schools in Colombo with infrastructure and other facilities.

“We hope to put an end to the popular school culture and gradually reduce the demand for popular schools”. There are 56 city schools in big demand among parents for grade one admissions and Grade 5 scholarship examination selections.

This does not mean that the Government would shun the facilities to send children to Colombo schools. “If the parents wish to do so, the doors will be open for them to send their children. When rural schools are developed, the craze for Colombo schools will end,” the Minister said.

A technological laboratory, advanced level laboratory, commerce laboratory, a green house, dental surgery, sports complex, aesthetic unit an auditorium and a technological unit will be built under the project. It also covers the beautification of the school.

Three-thousand graduate teachers have also been recruited at school level for ICT, Science, Mathematics and English.

MF