Most school drop-outs from plantation sector

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Nearly 180,000 school drop-outs are reported annually from every part of the country and if this situation continues, it will increase the cases of child labour, child trafficking and other child-related abuse cases in future, Probation and Childcare Services Department (PCSD) said yesterday.

The PCSD said it is the duty of the authorities to take measures to stop this situation right now.

The majority of school drop-outs are reported from the plantation sectors in the country.

Quoting recent statistics, PCSD Commissioner, Sarath Abeygunawardena told the Sunday Observer that many children in low income groups, between the ages of 11 and 16 years, interrupt their educational activities due to poverty.

He said lack of fixed employment among many parents who have less educational qualifications, mothers leaving for foreign jobs and closure of schools in remote areas are the main reasons for most children to give up school education at a tender age and find temporary jobs.

"Some school drop-outs also indulge in various unlawful activities," he said.

"We have to take precautionary measures at this crucial moment to stop this situation, considering the future prospects of our country," he said.

Abeygunawardena said a workshop was conducted at Palindanuwara, Agalawatta to create awareness among parents about the importance of sending their children to schools. The workshop helped over 300 children whose school education had been disrupted due to various reasons to be re-admitted to schools.

He said more workshops will be conducted in other districts in the near future.