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School children to be provided with an allowance to obtain stationary
A survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics has revealed that above 55% of school children have had a significant negative impact on their education due to the adverse effects of the economic crisis.
It was further revealed that this percentage is higher in rural and estate areas where 53.2% of affected children have reduced or stepped purchasing school stationary while 26.1% of the school children have
resorted to reusing used school stationary.
Therefore, in order to minimize the negative effects caused to school children, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the president, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to provide an allowance for purchasing stationary as mentioned below before commencement of the academic year 2025.
• To provide an allowance of Rs. 6000/- per child through Welfare Benefit Board to purchase stationary for children of families entitled to Aswasuma,
• To provide an allowance of Rs. 6000/- per child through the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education to purchase stationary for children who are not entitled to Aswasuma, children from families where the mother or farther is disabled, all children of school age in orphanages and children belonging to the categories who have become destitute due to special reasons.
England’s new era in white-ball cricket under Brendon McCullum began with a crushing defeat against world champions India as familiar frailties against spin resurfaced in the first T20 in Kolkata.
After seamer Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt for a three-ball duck and Ben Duckett in his first two overs, the middle order fell in a sorry heap against India’s spinners and England were bowled out for 132.
Captain Jos Buttler played a lone hand with 68 from 44 balls but Harry Brook was the next highest scorer with 17.
Brook was bowled in the eighth over by the superb Varun Chakaravarthy, who then dismissed Liam Livingstone for a duck two balls later as England’s scoring stalled and wickets tumbled.
Jacob Bethell struggled for seven from 14 balls, Jamie Overton managed only two at number seven and Gus Atkinson fell to England’s old foe Axar Patel for a painful two from 12 balls.
Chakaravarthy returned to dismiss Buttler in the 17th over – ending England’s hope of a big finish as he claimed figures of 3-23.
Jofra Archer impressed with 2-21 in India’s chase but the hosts still romped to a seven-victory with 43 balls to spare – England’s heaviest T20 defeat in terms of deliveries remaining.
Gus Atkinson conceded 23 in the second over and Abhishek Sharma crashed 79 from 34 balls with the pressure released.
The second T20 in the five-match series is on Saturday in Chennai.
Brief scores:
England 132 in 20 overs [Jos Buttler 68, Harry Brook 17; Arshdeep Singh 2-17, Hardik Pandya 2-42, Varun Chakravarthy 3-23, Axar Patel 2-22] lost to India 133/3 in 12.5 overs [Sanju Samson 26, Abhishek Sharma 79, Tilak /varma 19*; Joffra Archer 2-21, Adil /rashid 1-27] by seven wickets
[BBC]
New Zealand are on the board and into the Super Sixes, picking up their first win of the World Cup.
The Kiwis sealed a 67-run win with a clinical bowling display that had Samoa all out for 40 in just under 15 overs.
Tournament newcomers Samoa made an impressive start in the field against the more fancied New Zealand. Both NZ openers were removed cheaply, before the side fell to 12-3 early on, attempting to set a big total in Sarawak.
Olive Lefaga Lemoe created history, taking Samoa’s first ever ICC Women’s U19 World Cup wicket, removing New Zealand star Kate Irwin caught-and-bowled for 0 off 3 balls.
Kiwi Eve Wolland was a steady hand amid a chaotic batting innings for New Zealand, ensuring a competitive total was set. Wolland’s 48 from 43 and Anika Todd’s contribution of 27 off 19 helped the side score 107-9 off 17 overs, in a match shortened by a rain delay.
Samoa couldn’t keep pace with the bat, all out for 40 off 14.2 overs.
Brief scores:
New Zealand Women Under 19s 107/9 in 17 overs [Emma McLeod 11, Anika Todd 27, Eve Wolland 48; Olive Lefaga 3-13, Norah Salima 1-24, Masina Tafea 1-10, Avetia Mapu 1-16, Verra Farane 2-17] beat Samoa Women Under 19s 40 in 14.2 overs [Angel Sootaga 8; Sophie Court 2-05, Hannah O’Connor 1-10, Rishika Jawal 2-12, Tash Wakelin 3-03] by 67 runs
Bangladesh is nestled underneath Australia, sealing second spot in Group D after a win over the Scots.
They managed 121-9 from their 20 overs, batting first against Scotland, and ended up winning by 18 runs.
Captain Sumaiya Akter came up with the goods down the order to ensure her side had something to defend, top-scoring for Bangladesh with 29* off 36 deliveries. Sumaiya was supported by Afia Ashima Era (21 off 19) and Juairiya Ferdous (20 off 32), who smashed an impressive six early in the innings.
Nayma Sheikh was impressive, taking 15-2 off her four overs.
Scotland were brave in their chase, led by Pippa Sproul’s 43 off 41 balls, but couldn’t quite get over the line. Captain Niamh Sheikh chipped in with 22 off 32.
The Scots finished 103/8 from their 20 overs and now will wait to find out if they remain in third spot in Group D. They will progress to the Super Sixes if Nepal fails to beat Australia.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh Women Under 19s 120/9 in 20 overs [Fahomida Choya 14, Juairiya Ferdous 20, Afia Ashima 21, Sumaiya Akter28*; Gabriella Fontenia 1-16, Ammy Baldie 1-17, Nayma Sheikh 2-15, Kirsty McColl 1-24, Maisie Maceria 2-27] beat Scotland Women Under 19s 103/8 in 20 overs [Emma Walsingham 11, Pippa Sproul 43, Niamh Muir 22; Nishita Akter Nishi 1-30, Anisa Akter Soba 4-25, Habiba Islam 1-16] by two wickets
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