Children at risk of being deprived of right to education

COLOMBO (News 1st): There is a risk of students, coming from families of substance and alcohol abuse, dropping out of school, education authorities point out. As such, plans are underway to direct such students to complete their school education, Pradeep Yasarath - the  Colombo District Secretary said on Sunday (Sept. 27). "A survey is currently underway regarding students who are at the age of receiving education and have dropped out of school. Based on preliminary findings, it was confirmed that the majority of students who had dropped out of school have parents who are addicted to the use of narcotics," Pradeep Yasarath told News 1st. The information has also come to light regarding students from apartment areas in the Colombo Divisional Secretariat, who are deprived of receiving education due to the failure of parents to send them to school. District Secretary, Pradeep Yasarath noted that all Divisional Secretariats and the Provincial Education Department were engaged in conducting the survey covering all divisional secretariats of Colombo. Thereby, steps will be taken to enable students identified through the survey, to attend schools, and receive their education.