The Government has decided to provide an allowance for schoolchildren who are unable to purchase stationary books and equipment, Cabinet Spokesman, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa said.
He was speaking at a media conference held yesterday at the Government Information Department to inform the decisions taken at this week’s Cabinet meeting.
A survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics has highlighted the significant negative impact of the economic crisis on over 55 percent of schoolchildren, particularly in rural and estate areas.
Findings show that 53.2 percent of affected children have reduced or stopped buying school stationery, and 26.1 percent have resorted to reusing old supplies.
To mitigate these effects, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Finance, Planning, and Economic Development Minister to provide an allowance for purchasing school stationery before the start of the 2025 academic year.
The proposal includes: An allowance of Rs.6,000 per child for families eligible under the Aswasuma programme, distributed through the Welfare Benefit Board.
An allowance of Rs.6,000 per child for families not eligible for the Aswasuma programme but facing specific challenges.This includes children from families with disabled parents, children in orphanages, and those classified as destitute for special reasons. The funds will be distributed through the Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry.
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