News
Students, teachers face hardships coming to remote school in Kalpitiya
Teachers and students in Uchimunai, Kalpitiya have been facing hardship in travelling to school due to lack of transportation facilities.
The school is situated in the isolated island or spit of Uchimunai which could be reached only by boat as there is only a sand route by land which is impassable at most times.
Teachers and students in Uchimunai, Kalpitiya have to travel 15 kilometres in fishing boats to get to the school
Teachers have complained that they have to travel about 15 kilometres in fishing boats to get to the school due to lack of accommodation on the island. Some of them have to travel from Kurunegala and Wennappuwa areas.
The students, from Grade 1 to Grade 5 are the most affected by the situation
This primary school has classes from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Currently 100 students are on the roll with five teachers on the staff.
At times when the teachers are unable to reach the school due to lack of transport they place their signatures in a book at the divisional educational office, Education Director Nuhur Lebbe said.
He said, however the teachers are paid a monthly transport allowance of Rs. 2,500.
Kalpitiya Divisional Secretary Rangana Fernando said a boat was given under the Gama Neguma project in 2008, during the time of former Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe. At that time the Samurdhi Authority made the transport arrangements and the villagers had donated a boat engine.
Ranjan Fernando, a member of the fishermen’s union says the children are the most affected. Teachers are requesting the Navy or the Divisional Secretariat to provide some relief.
 Although the teachers are given a monthly travel allowance of Rs. 2,500, there is often a lack of transport |
 With 100 students currently on roll, the teachers are requesting assistance from the Navy or the Divisional Secretariat |
 The main mode of transport is a boat donated by the Gama Neguma project in 2008, run by an engine provided by the villagers. The only other way to the school, situated on an isolated island, is a sand route by land which is mostly impassable |
|