74 schools with dangerous buildings identified – Minister

Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha told Parliament yesterday that 74 schools with dangerous buildings and structures have been identified countrywide including Thurstan College, Colombo and Tangalle Balika Vidyalaya.

He said authorities of these schools have been instructed to evacuate children from the buildings at risk and that alternative measures will be taken to accommodate the children until the buildings are renovated.

The Minister said that children of 24 classrooms in a four-storey building in Thurstan College Colombo were evacuated as the building was in a dangerous condition and the children of those classrooms have been provided with temporary shelters around the school grounds until the building is completed.

A new building was being constructed with the help of the Army at Tangalle Balika Vidyalaya instead of a building which has been demolished due to the dangerous condition.

The Minister said school Principals had been made aware to be cautious of risky buildings in schools and to ensure the safety of the children.

The Minister said this while making a special statement regarding the tragic death of a six-year-old schoolgirl at Weragoda Vidyalaya in Wellampitiya. He said that a five-member committee has been appointed under the Chairmanship of the Provincial Director of Education to probe this incident. A dangerous situation arose in the Weragoda Vidyalaya in Wellampitiya. Six students were injured. One student has died. Five more children have been hospitalised.

Some people have attacked the principal regarding this incident and he is being treated in the National Eye Hospital. The concrete wall of a drinking water system has collapsed. The Divisional Director of Education has visited the place and investigated. Necessary steps have been taken now.

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