Scholarships for disaster-orphaned students- WPEd.Min.

The Western Province (WP) Education Ministry ( EM) will submit a proposal next week to introduce a scholarship programme for students who lost their parents in the recent floods and landslides.

WPEM, Secretary S. G. Wijayabandu said information is now being collected about such students at Grama Niladhari level and at school level. Accordingly, the disaster-orphaned students will be looked after at suitable places and steps taken to provide 13-years continuous education for them.

The WPEM also intends to provide an additional relief package to that given by the MoE, to students.

Mr Wijayabandu noted that, damage to computers, science laboratories and buildings are being estimated and the final report will be handed over to the MoE next week.

He said that, as the funds of the WPEM was insufficient for the renovations, additional funds have been requested from the MoE.

Meanwhile, Southern PEM, Secretary Y. Wickramasiri said, around 34 schools in the province have been damaged by the disaster, and funds have been requested from the MoE for their renovation.