The Hon. Riyas Farook

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the time to speak on our Government’s first Budget. Yesterday, when our ministers and MPs highlighted past mistakes, Opposition MPs got angry. We are not only pointing out errors; we are rectifying them and setting proper procedures.

¶ 02 This morning an Opposition MP spoke much about education and health, and free education. In 2010, the “Mahinda Chinthana” concept was advanced, and by 2012 a programme proposed two school types: primary (Grades 1–5) and secondary (Grades 6–13), under a “1,000 National Schools Programme,” with 1,000 national schools and 5,000 primary feeder schools. In Akurana DS Division in Kandy District, Al Ashaar National School and Zahira were selected, each with five feeder primaries. Near Ashaar, Neeralla Muslim School lies just across a road and canal; uphill belongs to Zahira. Since 2012, parents have been petitioning the education office with no result, then the Human Rights Commission. Of three feeder schools, two go to Zahira and one to a nearby school. HRC said one-third of students should be admitted, 20–30 kids to Ashaar. But time passes with no action. Telumbugahawatta Muslim School was also assigned to Ashaar but this year those children are not going there, nor given another school. At the Kandy DCC in December, we queried the Director; he did not know. In January, he said there are now three feeder schools for Ashaar, whereas in 2012 there were five. Where did the other two go? Admissions are ongoing, yet there is no solution. This system has been messed up. We are allocating big funds to education and health to fix such issues.

¶ 03 As DCC Chair in Poojapitiya, we saw a problem at Ankumbura National School involving the principal, teachers, and parents, even reaching the police. We decided in DCC to go there and talk with all. We learned the root was the “1,000 National Schools” scheme: converting five primaries into one secondary, leaving only one primary, causing student numbers to fall from around 2,000 to 500, creating viability problems. Such issues abound—even within the same zone.

¶ 04 There was also the “Nearest School — Best School” project. One MP said Rs. 28 million per school was allocated and said it was insufficient. Former MP Haleem’s house abuts a school—Akurana Boys’ Muslim School—which was allocated funds. But for politics, the money was split among 4–5 schools; ultimately none received adequate funds and the original school was not developed.

¶ 05 Transfers: Though the Education Secretary says transfers are handled by a board without interference, in 2015 the principal of Ashaar National School was transferred due to pressure from then-Minister Haleem’s relative who ran a car sale. After that, the school declined. The Secretary himself admitted this when we raised it. Similar political interference occurred even in hospitals. These are the conditions we inherited. We are allocating funds across all sectors to fix them—be patient.

¶ 06 Opposition members call us asking for favours to be done “with one phone call.” We came to end that culture. I visited Ashaar National School—an eight-toilet block and an “A Hall” building have been collapsed for five years; no one looked. Some Cabinet ministers seek Akurana votes without even knowing this. I spoke to the Deputy Minister of Education; I hope at least part will be rebuilt this year. Without that building, admissions are constrained—students have dropped from 2,200 to 1,700—forcing parents toward international schools. Admissions categories require documents—agreements proving residence, voters’ register entries—things the poorest lack. OGA/OBA categories now see people buying “points” with money, disadvantaging the poorest further. We are discussing these and will clean them up. By next year we will present a sound education system. I conclude. Thank you.