More schols for migrant workers' children

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) will increase the number of scholarships annually granted for school-children of migrant workers from this year.

According to the Bureau's annual scholarship scheme, schoolchildren who pass three major Government examinations - the Grade Five Scholarship Examination, GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations - receive Rs. 15,000, Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 30,000 respectively as scholarships.

Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Dilan Perera told the Sunday Observer that the objective of increasing the number of scholarships is to benefit more children.

He said over 1.3 million Sri Lankans are currently employed in Middle Eastern countries and 30 percent of them have children who still receive either school, university or vocational education.

The Minister said from this year scholarships will also be awarded to school leavers of migrant workers who are interested in pursuing job-oriented technical courses such as English and Information Technology.