The Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga denied reports that the Government has taken a decision to hold schools till 3.00 pm
"These media reports were politically motivated and should be deemed as election propaganda" the Secretary said of the media reports whcih were highlighted yesterday and today.
"What the cabinet decided yesterday was to look into the possibility of extending school hours of selected schools that will be developed as model popular schools. The decision will be based on the aspirations of parents, teachers and students of the particular school," he added.
The Secretary said the Government is poised to launch a national program to upgrade and develop 1000 schools selected at Divisional Secretaries level. The objective is to increase the present number of popular schools, from 50 to 1000. This will create a popular school near every house minimizing the fierce battle for popular schools among parents. This whole process has been given a distorted picture by these politically driven propaganda in the media.
He said as a person who dedicate most of his time for the wellbeing of the children of this country, the President would be the last person to initiate any program harmful to students.