Navodya and Isuru schools will be made secondary schools.

The Deputy Minister of Education Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa said that Navodya and Isuru schools will be included to the category of secondary schools and these schools will be developed under the one thousand school development programme next year.

The Deputy Minister made these comments in response to a question raised by the United National Party MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam in Parliament today.

The Deputy Minister said that all these schools will be developed in the year 2013 and added that the development of these children friendship schools is even mentioned in the Budget.

Referring to the payment of teachers salary arrears, the Deputy Minister said that all payments coming under the Treasury have been made and there are certain payments pending yet at Provincial Council level. (niz)