Information secretary of the JVP Vijitha Herath says that the Gotabhaya Rajapaksa-led government that came to power claiming that it will not sell national resources or privatize education and would turn back all moves that were carried out against the people is now preparing to pass the Kotelawala Defense University Act in Parliament, which would pave the way for private education.
He made these observations addressing a function organized by the Socialist Students ‘Union on June 20 to mark National Student Heroes’ Day and held online in the wake of the covid epidemic.
. He said that on many occasions in history, the entire student community had made tremendous sacrifices to protect free education in the country and the struggle they had waged had enabled the present generation to enjoy free education in Sri Lanka to this extent. He also said that it is the responsibility of the present generation to commemorate the student heroes who sacrificed their lives in that battle.
He further said, “Although there are 10,168 schools in our country, most of them do not have even the minimum facilities required for a child to study. There are 374 national schools and some of them are ‘national school’ only on the name boards. In such a situation our rulers talk about online education. 3% of schools in our country do not have electricity. 1,627 schools do not even have drinking water, which is 16% of the total. This is what the rulers who ruled the country for 73 years have done. There are 26% of schools that do not have toilet facilities. That means 2644 schools do not have toilet facilities for teachers and school children. This is the attitude of the rulers. They make a big saying that a massive political gimmick is spread through the country saying great 1000 national schools will be established. Rs. one million is given to each school to turn it into a national school. This money is enough only to be used to paint the school and put up a board. This is their ‘national school’ display.. Even when covid restrictions are imposed this government is passing ordinances to send free education to the precipice. ”
Several student representatives including the National Organizer of the Socialist Students Union Rangana Devapriya were present at the commemoration.
