3 December 2024 05:22 pm Views - 2176
Colombo, December 3 (Daily Mirror) - To minimise the negative effects on schoolchildren, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide an allowance of Rs. 6,000 for purchasing stationery as outlined below, prior to the commencement of the 2025 academic year.
The proposal was presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
A survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics revealed that over 55% of schoolchildren have experienced significant setbacks in their education due to the adverse effects of the economic crisis.
The survey further highlighted that this percentage is higher in rural and estate areas, where 53.2% of affected children have reduced or stopped purchasing school stationery, while 26.1% have resorted to reusing old stationery.
Accordingly, Cabinet approval has been granted to provide the following allowances:
For children from families entitled to the Aswasuma programme:
An allowance of Rs. 6,000 per child will be disbursed through the Welfare Benefit Board to purchase stationery.
For children not entitled to the Aswasuma programme:
An allowance of Rs. 6,000 per child will be provided through the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Professional Education. This includes: