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Ed. Ministry to assist Provincial schools to fight money collection
View(s):The Education Ministry will assist provincial authorities to prohibit collecting money from students of provincial schools and their parents.
Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told Parliament that the recent circular was mainly to the national schools that come under the line ministry.
“Our findings on money collection from students in national schools, included a school in Colombo that collected Rs 140 million a year by collecting Rs 3,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 8,000 from students for various reasons. The circular prohibiting collection of money without the Ministry’s technical committee approval, was issued to avoid these kinds of illegal collections,” the Minister said.
MP Buddhika Pathirana who raised the question, said that, in leading Provincial schools including the district he represents, Matara, illegal money collection is taking place, and that the Education Ministry has failed to act against it.
“Under the 13th Amendment, Provincial schools come under the relevant Provincial councils, and it is necessary to obtain the permission of the Provincial Secretary and Zonal Director. However, if this issue continues in Provincial schools, thereby violating a national policy, the Education Ministry will decide on a future decision to prevent such acts,” the Minister said. (NF)