World Vision and Kotagala Plantations build two new preschools
Saturday, 15 March 2014 00:00
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World Vision and Kotagala Plantations PLC recently inaugurated two modern pre-schools in Hatton and Pathana. The schools which would benefit 68 children from the plantation communities address a much felt need for a standard preschool to bridge the gap between crèche and primary school.
Chief guest Minister of Livestock and Rural Development Arumugam Thondaman, declared open the schools in separate ceremonies held at Mayfield Estate in Hatton and Bogahawatte Estate in Pathana. Speaking at the event, Minister Thondaman stated: “This is an important day for all of us, because World Vision has built preschools for our children. I would like to take this opportunity to thank World Vision for this gesture and also commend them for all the good work they are doing in the region for the upliftment of the plantation community. The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) will continue to support World Vision for this kind of social development work for this society.”
Children in the plantation communities are often placed in crèches until it is time for them to attend primary school. The crèche and preschool function together, managed by crèche attendants who are not qualified as preschool teachers. The children are therefore not adequately prepared for primary school education resulting in poor performance, irregular attendance and sometimes in school dropouts.
This collaboration between World Vision, Kotagala Plantations, the Estate Worker Housing Cooperative Society (EWHCS) and the community promotes early childhood education through the construction of modern preschools in the area. Kotagala Plantations provided the land on which the preschools were constructed as well as unskilled labour, raw materials and electricity to the value of Rs. 1.8 million. World Vision constructed and furnished the schools investing over Rs. 8.2 million. The community contributed unskilled labour and three days wages at a total of Rs. 600,000. The EWHCS will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the preschools.
“We appreciate the work of World Vision Lanka towards the development of our communities. We find that working together for the common good fosters a more harmonious environment on the plantations,” said Mahen Madugalle, Director Upcountry Plantations of Kotagala Plantation PLC. “The mothers too feel better knowing that their children are safe in these schools while they are at work.”
Commenting on the collaboration WVL National Director Suresh Bartlett said: “Our focus is on the children, their families and their communities. This is truly a collaborative effort for the education and well being of children. We are thankful to Kotagala Plantations for welcoming and partnering with us to improve the lives of the plantation communities. It is amazing what we can achieve when we work together.”
