Over 60% of schools sans telephone facilitiesEducation Sector Database

More than 60% of the country’s schools do not have telephone facilities, Education Ministry’s latest statistics have revealed.

Accordingly, of the 10,161 schools in the country, only 3,570 schools (35.13 %) have telephone facilities, while 6,591 (64.87 %) do not

The findings were made following the establishment of a new database on all Education related statistics which are being compiled on a directive of Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

The Ministry revealed that nearly 91.96% of schools or 9,344 schools presently have potable water facilities.

94.86% of schools or 9,639 schools have electricity, while 0.90% have the capacity to obtain the facility, but have yet to do so. However, 431 schools (4.24%) do not have electricity.

An official of the ministry said that due to the database they are now able to ascertain the needs of the schools and provide such facilities accordingly.

"The issues of lack of drinking water and electricity will be addressed soon as possible," he said.

"The absence of such a database was a major issue towards proper allocation of funds," he said.

He said the database would be updated every quarter and will be useful for teacher requirements, admission of students and issue of vouchers for uniforms.

The statistics show there are 10,161 schools, of which 352 (3%) are National schools. Sri Lanka's student population is 4 million.

The statistics also reveal that 89,912 GCE A/L students follow the Maths/Science stream, while 282,985 follow the Arts and Commerce streams.