Child walks 24 kilometres to and from school

20 April 2013 01:48 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A student living in the Nonpareil Estate at Balangoda is reported to walk nearly 24 kilometres a day to school and back.

The child is a student of the Vivekanda Vidayalaya situated in the estate.

Recently, Sabaragumwa Provincial Council (SPC) officials and Chief Minister Mahipala Herath visited the area. According to reports, the Grade IV student Pradeep begins his 12-kilomtre walk to school at 4.00 a.m. and reaches home from school around 7.00 p.m after another 12-kilometre trudge.

The SPC said this child is the eldest of six siblings and lives with his parents in the Nagrek Division of the estate. The estate is located on a high mountainous area, considered by many as the highest elevation in the Sabaragamuwa Province. The area does not have enough infrastructure facilities and the steep access road is usually buffeted with strong winds that prevail during some months restricts public mobility to a large extent.

The boy hails from a village 7,200 feet above sea level, and 32 kilometres off Balangoda. Only this child from among the 16 in the village attends school.

The Chief Minister is reported to have instructed his officials to provide education facilities to the other 15 as well. The Chief Minister met this child and commended his perseverance in carrying out his studies amid difficulties. (Kelum Bandara)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 26

weha Saturday, 20 April 2013 05:19 AM

the poor kids in this country doesn't need Lambos or night clubs although that's what our rulers think

Cyril de Alwis Monday, 22 April 2013 12:10 PM

Anton

Please find me this boy's address and I will donate him a
bicycle or transfer money to buy one. Pls get my Email address from Dailymirror.

Cyril

jayantha silva Monday, 22 April 2013 07:57 AM

Why don't they have a school nearby then ?

Rajkumar Monday, 22 April 2013 07:50 AM

I willing to help this student with rs 20,000. Please provide me with the address or phone number of the family.

Dickie Bird Sunday, 21 April 2013 03:00 PM

It is unfortunate that none have discussed here how we should get about lessening his burden of walking 24 km.

Its upto Thush from belihul-oya who lives on the spot to suggest what could be done to assist this boy to help him continue his education lessed his burden and make available more time for study.

Desmond Sunday, 21 April 2013 04:10 AM

Yep well done Suren ....you are the only person with some sense.....no one else had any thought of helping the poor kid

SILVA Saturday, 20 April 2013 08:33 AM

OH MY GOD " IN AN ECONOMY WHICH BOASTS OF NEAR USD 4000 PER CAPITA INCOME, DO CHILDREN HAVE TO WALK 24 KM A DAY TO SCHOOL. WHAT ABOUT FACILITIES FOR KIDS TO LEARN.

PROVES TH3E FACT FROM CENTRAL BANK DATA ABOUT 42 Percent EARNING LESS THAN rs 8000 PER MONTH

SudhuPancha Saturday, 20 April 2013 07:52 AM

?Marathon runner in the making.
Distance training, endurance and stamina building, high elevation training. All in the recipe for a long distance runner

Raz Saturday, 20 April 2013 07:03 AM

Over to relavent minister,please do concern and take a prompt action that will change their future.thanks for daily mirror to bring such thing to the lime light.

sanath Saturday, 20 April 2013 06:48 AM

Anton ! Are u mad . Have u ever been to Balangoda. Give him a bicycle and see him carried it on his shorlders.

clueless Saturday, 20 April 2013 06:50 AM

future olympic prospect

Mango Nanda Saturday, 20 April 2013 05:34 AM

Hon. Wimal Weerawansa - over to you - Don't wait till this boy get a place in the Island Ranking at O/L to give him a house close to the school. The are 5 more in that family. So pl. act fast as the younger ones will follow this boy's footsteps where education is concerned

HeshK Saturday, 20 April 2013 05:22 AM

So... instead of trying to make it easier for these kids to access education, the minister wants the other 15 children to also walk 24km a day for school?

Pluto Saturday, 20 April 2013 03:17 AM

Just the tip of the iceberg.

Suren Sarathkumara Saturday, 20 April 2013 05:18 AM

Daily Mirror: How to contact this boy or authorities to make some donations?

rednaxela Saturday, 20 April 2013 05:00 AM

Good Luck, Pradeep. Keep it up and study hard. You will be a winner and a healthy one. I remember walking 3 miles and then boarding a bus to school. But it was only 6 miles a day.

PREM Saturday, 20 April 2013 04:55 AM

New guy, your wishes will not help the boy in anyway.

new guy Saturday, 20 April 2013 04:31 AM

well done little boy!
if i were you, i wud hav stayed at home complaining to my parents.
you are a hero
very good luck and all the best to you and every kid like you in the world!

Thush Saturday, 20 April 2013 04:27 AM

Dude, I live in Belihul-Oya within the close proximity of the Non-Pariel estate. Nagarak Division is considered the highest human habitation in Sri Lanka. Giving a bicycle to this child is of no use. No one in this area can use bicycles simply due to the high elevation and steep mountains. It is deadly dangerous to ride a bicycle or even a motor bike down the mountain. And even if someone does so, the child will have to carry the bicycle in his shoulders o his way back home. Can you imagine the burden of carrying a bicycle for a school boy who can't even climb the mountain empty handed?

Sonali De Silva Saturday, 20 April 2013 04:25 AM

For someone who has this perseverance and determination his future will surely be bright. I wish this boy and all others who attend this school the very best in their studies.

ANTON Saturday, 20 April 2013 04:23 AM

YEP, IT IS TOO FAR TO GO THERE BUDDY.

Tharanga Perera Saturday, 20 April 2013 04:04 AM

Hay Anton, why cant you do it??

Grace Saturday, 20 April 2013 03:56 AM

A best example for students from poor families. Poverty is not a barrier to students who want to be achievers.

kay parker Saturday, 20 April 2013 03:33 AM

Yes My children have Lamborghini's and private helicopters why complain?

ANTON Saturday, 20 April 2013 03:28 AM

Are not any one in this world to donate him at least a second hand bicycle.

sss Saturday, 20 April 2013 03:21 AM

Mahinda Chintana was suppose to help rural people but end up with beautifying Colombo and dumping its garbage on them.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Child walks 24 kilometres to and from school

Comments - 26

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

April 15 declared a government holiday

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings