Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated that reopening schools located in landslide-prone areas would be extremely dangerous, and that the government is therefore prioritizing the identification of such schools and their relocation to safer locations based on scientific assessments.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representatives held at the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the discussion, she explained the measures taken by the government to protect students affected by recent disasters and to restore the damaged school system, while also outlining the challenges faced in the process.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya noted that financial assistance has been provided to affected students, enabling parents to send their children back to school without additional financial strain. Emphasizing that school is the safest place for children after their homes, she expressed confidence that a stable school environment would help restore and improve students’ mental well-being.
She further highlighted that the government is focusing on several key areas, including the relocation of disaster-affected schools, restoration of school infrastructure, the merging and joint operation of certain schools, the use of digital and technological strategies to facilitate teaching and learning, and the provision of special transportation facilities. The Prime Minister stressed that the government is carefully examining these issues and is committed to implementing long-term solutions.
Meanwhile, UNICEF representatives commended the government’s commitment and the initiatives undertaken to restore the education sector, and assured their continued support, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.
