Samanmalee Gunasinghe, secretary of the Women for Rights organisation aligned with the National People’s Power (NPP) party claims that children’s education in Sri Lanka will be completely destroyed during the new year due to the increase in taxes levied on the public. According to Gunasinghe, the number of school-going children is seeing a gradual decrease given the current situation while it has also led to an increase in children being subjected to various forms of abuse.
“Mothers are in great distress as the education of their children has been disrupted. We condemn the threats by the subject Minister to increase water and electricity tariffs. He is threatening people who are already in depths of despair. The Ministers have now set the education of our children down a path of destruction and have ruined our country’s future,” she said. “While all this is happening the Minister of Education is not to be found,” she added.
Gunasinghe made these comments at a press conference held yesterday in Colombo on the various issues faced by women and children in the current economic crisis.
“The budget proposals presented for 2023 by the President said the Government expects to earn Rs. 2218 billion in taxes in the coming year. Indirect taxes are taxes levied on our essential goods and services. When calculated the Government will tax a person Rs. 276 per day. A family of four will end up paying Rs. 1105 in indirect taxes daily,” she pointed out.
According to Gunasinghe people are being taxed excessively at a time when at least 76 per cent of the population is facing food insecurity. “73 per cent are disregarding nutritional needs as a result and filling their stomachs with whatever they can get. Malnutrition has increased by 15 per cent. The human resources of the country are facing acute malnutrition while being taxed in this manner,” she noted.
Gunasinghe accused the Government of spending lavishly on the needs of Ministers and MPs while ignoring the needs of school children. “They have not made any attempt to reduce the costs of school items. A 200-page CR book cost Rs. 230 just four months ago. Now it costs Rs. 510. While students have been instructed by schools to buy high-quality CR books, parents do not have the means to even buy lesser-quality books for their children. More than half of the country is not able to secure one square meal a day,” Gunasinghe revealed.
Despite the laws making school education mandatory for children until 16 years of age, Gunasinghe said parents are now unable to fund it.
“2023 will decimate the people with taxes. Students getting through their ordinary level examinations must pay Rs. 10 000 to enter advanced level classes even in the same school. Parents are now being forced to obtain letters from the Grama Seva officer confirming they are not able to pay that amount. Passing an examination has become a source of stress instead of joy now,” she said.
According to Gunasinghe, children are attempting to earn a living to support their families instead of going on to study for their advanced-level examinations. “Children entering such an environment at a young age are becoming victims of drugs and other abuses. We call on the Government to stop the media circus claiming to protect children from drugs and instead focus on the real issues faced by the children of the country. The Government must bear the responsibility for the disruption of education if electricity tariffs are increased next year. We call on the Government to halt their activities which are causing the demise of the country’s national education.” she said.
“We ask the Government to reduce costs of school items and provide the necessary support to students enrolling in the advanced level classes. If the Government fails to provide a favourable response we will take to the streets along with the parents of this country,” she added.
