Education Ministry revives 347 schools

The Education Ministry has revived 347 schools that ceased to function during 2013, Education Minister Bandula Gunwardena said.

He said the Mahinda Chinthana policy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was not about closing schools but bringing all schools to the level of popular schools which currently cater to a limited number of privileged students.

He was speaking at a recent ceremony to mark the centenary of Dutugemunu Vidyalaya, Peliyagoda, a school which was on the verge of being closed. It has now been developed as a model school with state assistance.

One hundred and forty nine rural schools were upgraded last year with facilities to teach science subjects to children in those areas. The minister said the President has assured a new lease of life to everyone by ending terrorism and violence in the country but there was an international conspiracy to charge him with war crimes.

The Minister launched a website and a plaque to commemorate the 100th year of the school at the ceremony.