The Economic Development Ministry of Basil Rajapaksa has been assigned as the ‘implementing agency’ of construction projects related to the development of 5000 primary schools in the country, a Minister said yesterday.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane told the Daily Mirror the construction of buildings, play areas   and activity rooms and gardening would be done under the direct involvement of the Economic Development Minister under this project. However, the Minister said the Education Ministry and the Provincial Councils would continue to deal with the appointment of teachers and teacher transfers.

“Also, we will be involved in the development of quality of education. The Economic Development Ministry will assist us in coordinating physical resource development work. They will also play a role in gardening work at schools under the Divi Neguma project,” he said.  

Besides, he said, the development of 1552 schools with less than 50 students would be done under the supervision of the Presidential Secretariat.
He also said the construction of modern laboratories named ‘Mahindyodaya’ in schools coming under the 1000 secondary school modernization project was in operation. Already, 40 such laboratories had been developed.

 “We have declared August as the month of developing primary schools. It will prevent schools from being closed down,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)