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)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)