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Conflict affected children's education in NEP - Minister

by Trincomalee correspondent

As a result of the two decades of conflict about 65,000 children of school-going age in the North East Province could not attend school, said Minister of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku at Trincomalee.

He said so at the national function held in Trincomalee for the admission of new students and distribution of school items to the newly admitted students. Functions were held at St. Mary's College, Sinhala Madya Maha Vidyalaya and Zahira Maha Vidyalayam. Ninety five students were admitted to St. Mary's College, 100 students to Sinhala Madya Maha Vidyalaya and 50 to Zahira Maha Vidyalayam. School items were donated by UNICEF and some other organisations.

Dr. Kodituwakku said the national percentage of school dropouts is 4% per cent, but this has increased to 16% per cent in the North East Province. About 200 schools in the North East Province are in an unsuitable condition for children to study.

Those schools lack buildings, science facilities, sanitary facilities etc. It is a great achievement that the government was able to obtain Rs. 1 billion from the World Bank to rehabilitate these schools. After cessation of hostilities which prevailed for nearly two decades now peace has dawned in this country.

Trincomalee district MP K. M. Thawfeek (SLMC), Ex-MP Sunil Santha Ranaweera (UNP), Chief Secretary NEPC, S Rangarajah, District Secretary N. P. K. Nelumdeniya, Principal St. Mary's College Rev. Sister Theresa Rane and Principal SMMV, JP Gamini and a few others also spoke.

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