UNP Kurunegala District MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a news conference yesterday that extending school hours till 3 pm would exhaust the children a great deal.

He was referring to a proposed move by the education authorities to extend school hours in some schools till 3pm.

“This will be tiring for the children mainly because of their day to day routine. Children have to wake up at least at 5.30 am to reach school by 7.30 am. They will have to remain in their uniforms till about 5.pm at the least because they’ll have to spend a long time on the road on their way back home after school,” Mr. Kariyawasm said.

The UNP MP said the tropical weather that prevailed in Sri Lanka would add to the ordeal as well.

Besides he said experts had also confirmed that children would be affected psychologically if they were too exhausted.

Therefore, he said the authorities should first focus on providing the adequate facilities to provide for a longer stay in school.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka