A meeting between Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and a delegation from UNICEF was held on December 20 at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss rebuilding schools affected by the recent disaster.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined steps taken by the government to protect students and restore the damaged school system, while also highlighting challenges faced in the recovery process.
She said reopening schools located in landslide-prone areas would pose serious risks and that the government is identifying such schools for relocation to safer locations based on scientific assessments.
The Prime Minister noted that financial assistance has been provided to students affected by the disaster to help parents send their children back to school without added financial strain. She said schools play a key role in supporting children’s mental well-being following disasters.
She also said the government is focusing on several areas, including relocating affected schools, restoring infrastructure, merging and jointly operating certain schools, using digital and technological methods to support teaching and learning, and providing special transportation facilities. Long-term solutions to these issues are being examined, she added.
UNICEF representatives commended the government’s commitment to restoring the education sector and assured continued support. Both sides also discussed working together on future initiatives.
The meeting was attended by UNICEF representatives Emma Brigham, Lakshmi Sureshkumar, Nishantha Subash and Yashinka Jayasinghe, along with Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Director of Education Dakshina Kasturiarachchi, and Deputy Directors Kasun Gunarathne and Udara Dikkumbura.(Newswire)
