FAMILIES OF FISHERFOLK LAMENT OVER CLOSURE OF PRE-SCHOOL

Residents of the area expressed concern about the closure of the pre-school in the Fairline Road Fisheries Housing Scheme and leaving the building to the mercy of the elements. They said hundreds of children from low income families of fisher folk had now been left at home until they reached the age of admission to the primary school.

A fisherman Elbert Singho (60) said the pre-school was established in 1979 by the then Municipal Member Neville Mendis who represented the area in response to the requests of the people who were not in a position to pay for pre-school education.

“The building constructed at a colossal expenditure enhanced the outlook of the fisheries housing scheme and it provided an atmosphere conducive to pre-education. The children received a pre-school education under well trained teachers. We attended to our household chores and our trade while our children attended free school. Children who attended, improved their talents for two years and they were clever children when they entered primary school. They took a keen interest in studies. After the tsunami disaster the pre-school was neglected and our continual representations to re-open it fell on the deaf ear. The building is in a dilapidated state with a broken down roof. Meanwhile thieves have taken away door and window frames. Today our children stay at home until they are admitted to the primary school,” he said.

A resident of the fisheries housing scheme L.G. Seelawathie said the preschool functioned smoothly for more than 35 years benefitting hundreds of children from low income families. However the pre-school was closed and the building abandoned without least concern about our children,” she said.

Municipal Member Neville Dabare said it was a matter of serious concern that the pre-school in the fisheries housing scheme was closed without a valid reason. He said the pre-school established in 1979 during the UNP government was the only facility available to the children in the fisheries housing scheme.

“The pre-school established by former MMC Neville Mendis was funded by the municipal council. The walls were adorned with paintings that attract the children. The project was implemented at a colossal expenditure. I established a gymnasium in the building for young men in the area but it ended up in failure due to neglect. I, with the officials of the Municipal Engineer’s Section, inspected the building and requested them to repair it, but they have not yet shown a positive response,” he said.

Residents of the area requested the Municipal Council to effect repairs to the building and to re-open the pre-school.