School without students

• The school founded in 1948 with a strength of 70 students had risen to 200 students and a staff of 16 teachers

By Sumanasiri Gunatileka

Ethpattiya Junior School in Badalkumbura in Monaragala Education Zone could be the only school in Sri Lanka without any student.   

The school without a principal or any student is staffed by one teacher and a non-academic employee. A retired Principal of the School Mallika Ratnayake said the school founded in 1948 with a strength of 70 students had risen to 200 students and a staff of 16 teachers.   

“Children from several villages including Ritigahduwa, Pabala, Karagasara and Ethpattiya attended this school with classes from Year one to nine, and they have held senior positions in the government. I was appointed Principal in 2018 and transferred to another school in 2023. In 2024 when I returned as Principal the strength of the school had reduced to three students. By 2026, the school had only one student and he left school when I retired in January 8. Now the school without any student is staffed by a teacher and an employee,” she said.   

She further said the school complete with all basic facilities declined in this manner for want of teachers and that the school could be developed if teachers for key subjects were available.   

However, Badalkumbura Divisional Director Ajith Liyanapathirana said no decision has been taken to close the school and that he would look into the possibility of admitting students in the years to come. He further said he would take up the issue with the Uva Province Education Ministry.