Over 18,000 projects at over Rs 4.2 billion, completed in the Educational sector- Akila

Over 18,000 projects costing more than Rs 4.2 billion, completed in the Educational sector, will be declared open simultaneously countrywide, officials said.

The projects cover 9,064 National and Provincial schools, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told Education Times.

The projects commenced in 2016, have now been completed and are ready to be vested with the respective schools for use.

The Government estimated that all the projects were due to cost Rs 65 billion and so far, Rs 44 billion has been spent on the projects.

Minister Kariyawasam said that priority had been given to schools in remote areas, where they have been able to provide infrastructure, including desks and chairs, sanitary facilities and electricity.

The Projects completed comprise 845 Primary schools, 5,600 Classrooms, 4,940 Buildings renovated, 186 Principals' quarters, 371 Teachers' quarters, 53 Canteens, 7 Sports complexes, 249 Science Labs, 28 Aesthetic centres, 260 Technology Labs, 35,250 Sanitary facilities, 854 Water facilities, 3,113 Power supplies, 3,200 Libraries developed, 29 Estate Schools and new buildings developed, 150 Dental Clinics and renovations and 3,000 Mobile Science Labs.

The majority of the projects are in the Central Province- 1,319 followed by North-Western Province- 1,214 , Eastern Province- 1,097, Western Province- 1,085, Sabaragamuwa Province- 1.049, Northern Province- 892, Southern Province- 897, North-Central Province828 and Uva Province- 683.

In addition to these projects, Rs 10 billion has been allocated for the purchase of equipment and Rs 630 million has been spent on development of Human Resources. Minister Kariyawasam said the remainder of the Rs 65 billion, will be spent on other projects, before the completion of the Government’s term next year.