Over 250,000 not attending school       [October 02 2010]

By Manjula Fernando      

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called an immediate report from Grama Niladaris after a Census and Statistics survey found nearly 250,000 children under the compulsory age of 14 years were missing school.  

Presidents Secretary Lalith Weeratunga said the Grama Niladaris too will be held accountable if such a large number is found to be not attending school. Under the Sri Lankan law it is a punishable offence to deprive children in this age category from schooling.  

Grama Nialdaris will be required to speak to parents and guardians of non schooling children and find as to why they have kept children at home, whether it is due to financial difficulties or due to some other reason.