Devi Balika science section to move to Wijerama MV
View(s):The Government’s decision to move a section of Devi Balika Vidyalaya to a provincial school in Nugegoda has deprived education opportunities for 300 students from Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya who had taken refuge in that school.
It was learned that 300 students from Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya at Wijerama had been moved to Sri Wijerama Maha Vidyalaya due to the dilapidated state of the school building. It was considered unsafe for children.
However it has been learned that the Education Ministry has written to the principal of Sri Wijerama Maha Vidyalaya asking for a section of the school premises, so classes in the A/L science stream of Devi Balika Vidyalaya could be shifted to this school.
In a letter dated March 16, 2021 Education Secretary Kapila Perera said in view of the increasing number of students at Devi Balika Maha Viyalaya, the science section of the school needed to be moved out.
The letter also said a couple of businesses had come forward to make necessary arrangements for this, including upgrading and preparing the buildings for the Colombo school.
The letter sought instant response from the Wijerama Maha Vidyalaya principal. Meanwhile it was learned one of the businessman in question, along with some politicians, had forcefully entered the school premises while classes were in progress, to view the buildings. Following this the school principal had lodged a complaint with the Police.
Wijerama Maha Vidyalaya is a school with 4.5 acres of sprawling land. However it has a student population of less than 100 students.
In an interesting development, last week the principal of Devi Balika Vidyalaya denied plans to move the school’s science section to Nugegoda.
Moreover the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) questions the undue interest shown by businessmen. It also questioned why businesses are involved in a decision that is a prerogative of the Education Ministry. (CC )