The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, as we speak today, we have already decided to grant Rs. 6,000 from January 2025 to schoolchildren from economically distressed families for school supplies and books. In total, Rs. 6,500 million is allocated in the Budget for this national intervention — a major achievement to nurture the intellect of our children.

¶ 02 Children are future leaders. Equipping them with knowledge is our responsibility; building them into complete persons is the nation’s duty; guiding them to see the future is the Government’s duty. Recognizing that duty, this Government is acting by minimizing fraud and corruption and being accountable to the people’s mandate.

¶ 03 Student dropouts have been rising. Annually, around 350,000 children enter Grade 1; by Grade 10, about 50,000 drop out each year. In 2022–2023, even 2,547 children dropped out in Grade 1 itself. Parents who enroll children with high hopes see them leaving school due to inability to afford educational materials. We have a genuine, compassionate commitment to uplift these children — whether from North, East, estates, urban Colombo, farming or fishing communities — Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim alike. Our aim in five to ten years is that not a single child drops out; to make education an equitable right. This is a national duty beyond politics.

¶ 04 We know many mothers end up victims of microfinance companies, borrowing Rs. 10,000 or Rs. 15,000 to buy school supplies, and when unable to repay, some — over 200 — have taken their lives. Some have been exploited and forced into domestic servitude, losing their dignity. The State must prevent such tragedies. A child’s education cannot be determined by the money in parents’ pockets. Free education is not only tuition-free; it must provide guidance and opportunities, ensure fair access and recognition for skills and abilities.

¶ 05 Therefore, we will also pursue a school nutrition programme. If a child comes to school hungry or leaves school to find food, that is a national tragedy. We must ensure meals and necessary facilities at school, widen educational opportunities, and, beyond the Rs. 6,000 grant, move towards providing a meal and addressing girls’ sanitary needs.

¶ 06 Every child must have an education pathway aligned to their abilities — not everyone must be a doctor or engineer, but everyone should become a fulfilled person who sees the world through knowledge. This Rs. 6,000 grant is a significant step towards that.

¶ 07 To Hon. Jeevan Thondaman’s point: our expectation is that every child in Sri Lanka — Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim; farmer, fisher, labourer, estate worker — without discrimination, will be empowered by this Rs. 6,000 grant. No parent should be burdened by a child’s education. By ending waste, bribery and corruption, we will direct funds to people’s welfare and guide students to realize their dreams in the next five to ten years.