The foundation stone laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the Tissapura Junior School, in Andalla, Weerawila in the Hambantota district, was held at the school premises recently.
Principal of the school, A. H. Weerakeerthi, COO Tissa Wickremasinghe and CEO of Hambantota International Port Services, Capt. Ravi Jayawickrama were also present. China Merchants Charitable Foundation (CMCF), the primary CSR arm of global port operator, CMPort, the main partner of HIPG funded the project.
The laying of the foundation stone to rebuild the derelict school, was the first step in fulfilling a commitment made by HIPG during its early stages. The school which has a student body of approximately 300, including preschool and primary school students and 24 teachers, had decaying infrastructure and facilities that did not encourage learning.
CEO of HIPG, Ray Ren said, “We are committed to use our CSR budgets to uplift key areas among our adjacent communities and this time we targeted education as it plays a significant role in providing equal opportunities for young people in Hambantota.
“We recognised the need to upgrade the Tissapura Junior School and brought the matter to the attention of CMCF which immediately agreed to make the grant. CMCF is funded by our main partner China Merchants Group and the Foundation’s aim is to improve livelihoods through alleviation of poverty and sustainable development,” he said.
HIPG has allocated US $ 200,000 for the renovation of the school which will be equipped with all basic facilities required for modern learning. The new additions to the school includes two new drinking water tanks with filtered water pipes, eight new classrooms, a playground and a wholly repaired roof. Any other repair work will be done on when the renovation gets under way.
HIPG is working with the Hambantota zonal education department to expedite the project.
The principal of the Tissapura Junior School said that this is the first renovation of the school since it was built.