| Breaking news - |
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| Schoolgirl released on bail |
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| 09 February 2013 |
A thirteen-year-old girl accused of stealing coconuts from a garden neighbouring her house was released on a Rs,50,000 surety bail by the Acting Magistrate of Horana on Tuesday.
The police who produced the girl in court said that she had taken eight coconuts worth Rs.320 rupees.
The statement recorded by the police from the thirteen-year-old defendant who is a student of a school in Horana, mentions the reason for collecting eight coconuts.
The child had said in the statement that she collected the eight coconuts to pay a sum of money that is being collected by the school from students to paint a building in the school.
The school may or may not be collecting money for such a purpose.
However, over the past two months, teacher unions have pointed out on several occasions that money is being collected from students to paint schools belonging to eleven Zonal Education Offices in the Western Province.
Yet, there is no need to collect money from students since the Provincial Education Department allocates funds for the purpose of painting all schools that come under the purview of the provincial councils.
This time around the Senior Assistant Secretary to the Provincial Education Ministry not only allocated funds but also recommended that the schools should purchase a certain brand of paint.
The minutes of a meeting held on the 22nd of last month between Teacher unions and the
Provincial Education Minister notes, that the teacher unions raised questions about the
school authorities collecting money from students even when the provincial council had allocated funds.
The minutes of the meeting confirmed that in response the Chief Minister of the province had said it was fair to collect Rs.250 from each student.
However, based on the instructions of the Chief Minister, an investigation was carried out last year to look into incidents where money was being collected from students.
The investigation had revealed that 67 principals in the Western Province had charged money from students.
The principals were ordered to return the money that was collected, to the students.
Incidentally, among the 67 principals found guilty is the principal of the school where the thirteen-year-old girl who was released on bail for collecting coconuts, studies.
The Provincial Education Department is yet to monitor whether the money that was collected from the students were returned.
Speaking to Newsfirst, the Horana Zonal Education Director said that the school in question was provided a sum of Rs.150, 000 by the Provincial Council to paint the buildings of the school.
Our correspondents visited the school in question yesterday morning to inquire whether money was being collected from students as mentioned by the thirteen-year- old girl.
Meanwhile, three weeks ago, the police produced a brother and a sister before the Horana Magistrate for allegedly taking two Jak fruits from a garden belonging to a retired police officer.
The suspects were later released on bail.
When the law is being implemented on those who steal coconuts and Jak fruit, there are
many who are charged with theft, corruption and misuse of public property on a large scale.
The Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises bears testament to such incidents.
According to the COPE Report, among the institutions that have engaged in corruption and squandering are Sri Lanka Cricket, the Department of Higher Education, the Ceylon petroleum Corporation, Department of Railways and even the Police Department.
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