Children's rights being violated : HRCSL

COLOMBO (News1st): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has observed that children's rights are violated under the current procedure to enrol students in schools. In a letter to the education ministry, the HRCSL called on authorities to amend the regulations on enrolling students in schools. The letter insisted that documents proving the occupancy of a home must be taken into account instead of house deeds when enrolling children. It observed that the current system in which additional points are offered for producing a land deed certifying ownership violates constitutional rights. The Human Rights Commission also called on the education ministry to abolish the system of enrolling students based on religion. It added that quotas must not be allocated concerning religions while enrolling students in schools as it is a matter of individual freedom. Meanwhile, the human rights body has also recommended establishing a unit to accept complaints on the failure to enrol students in schools. The letter observed that these complaints must be resolved within a period of three months.