National Fund for Children’s Welfare soon

President Maithripala Sirisena said he endorses the decision taken by the government to do away with the Grade 5 scholarship examination.

He said according to statistics only 12 to 13 percent of the children who passed the Grade 5 scholarship examination gained eligibility to enter universities while more than 85 percent of the students who qualified to enter universities were those who failed the Grade 5 examination.

Even though he never intends to belittle children who passed the Grade 5 examination, this factor should be explained to students who failed the examination in the context of the competition and mentality involved regarding the examination.

The President expressed these sentiments addressing the Colombo district seminar of the ‘Daruwan Surakimu’ national programme held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Complex, Colombo yesterday.

The President emphasised that it was the duty and responsibility of parents, teachers and society to take every possible action to perform all duties and responsibilities towards children within the government policy in keeping with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The President said a special fund would be set up within the next fortnight to ensure a better future for the child generation.

It would be utilised to further strengthen current government programmes conducted for the benefit of children by utilising expert reports and social surveys on children’s problems and issues.

“We should resolve to protect children according to our conscience,” the President said.

The President said Sri Lanka occupied a prominent place in the world according to its suicide rate which was common among children below the school going age of 20.This should gain the special attention of all.

The President also handed over funds in Rs. 5.9 million to four schools in the Western Province for the provision of access and other facilities for disabled children attending them and Rs. 877,000 under the sustainable schools programmes for the provision of water supplies to schools without water.

The President also handed over Rs. 1.45 million to two children’s homes to effect urgent repairs.

Women’s and Children’s Affairs and Dry Zone Development Minister Chandrani Bandara, Western Province Governor Azath Salley, Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya, Secretary to the President Udaya R.Seneviratne and Colombo GA Sunil Kannangara were present.