In a recent announcement, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha revealed that 74 schools, including prominent institutions such as Thurston College in Colombo and Tangalle Balika Vidyalaya, have been identified as having hazardous buildings. The Minister informed Parliament that directives have been issued to these schools to evacuate children from the risky structures, with contingency plans in place to temporarily relocate students until the necessary renovations are completed.
Minister Premajayantha highlighted the proactive measures taken, citing the removal of 24 classrooms in a hazardous four-story building at Thurston College in Colombo. The affected students have been temporarily accommodated in shelters within the school grounds while awaiting the completion of the building reconstruction. Additionally, he noted that the entire building at Tangalle Balika Vidyalaya has been demolished, and a new structure is underway with the support of the army.
The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced in allocating funds for schools in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis in the country.
In light of a tragic incident involving the death of a 6-year-old schoolgirl at Weragoda Vidyalaya in Wellampitiya, Minister Premajayantha emphasized the importance of school principals exercising caution regarding hazardous buildings. He underscored the need for proactive safety measures to ensure the well-being of students.
This statement comes as part of the Minister’s commitment to addressing the safety concerns in schools and prioritizing the protection of students in the wake of potential hazards.
