Education system in tsunami hit areas being revived - Mangala
SRI LANKA is now in the process of recovering from the massive
devastation of December 26 which claimed over 31,000 innocent lives and
destroyed more than a third of our idyllic coastline. The education
system in the coastline was severely disrupted with 102 schools damaged
with nearly 80,000 students affected and 78 schools were completely
destroyed, Ports, Aviation Information and Media and Deputy Education
Minister and Sri Lanka Representative to the Executive Board of UNESCO
Mangala Samaraweera said.
Addressing the 171th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO last
week, Minister Samaraweera said that the Government and the people of
Sri Lanka were able to get the situation under control and
reconstruction work began within four weeks of the disaster.
Welcoming the initiative taken by the Director General in preparing a
comprehensive mapping and implementation plan of the current and future
contributions of each partner in realising Education for All (EFA) at
global, regional and national levels in keeping with the Dakar
framework, the Minister said it was `very impressive'.
"Education has been recognised as a priority indispensable for human
capacity development. Sri Lanka has taken steps to incorporate quality
mechanisms in its policies in the education sector and other fields of
competence," he said.
Paying tribute to the international community for its generosity in
time of need, the Minister said that seven donor countries have
undertaken repairs and reconstruction of all the schools and all the
students affected have been allocated other schools so that their
education can continue uninterrupted.
"It was most heartening to note that we were not alone in dealing
with the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. We appreciate UNESCO's
leading role in the establishment of a Tsunami Early Warning System in
the Indian Ocean Region," he said.
Delivering his statement the Minister underscored the importance of
UNESCO harmonising its priorities within the United Nations System to
achieve maximum results for those most in need.
"Duplication of work within the United Nations system, especially
considering that budgetary difficulties faced across the board is
completely undesirable.
This not only dissipates valuable human and financial resources but
also creates unnecessary confusion which could be easily avoided.
Therefore it is important that UNESCO clearly identifies the
priorities based on the needs of the member states," he added. This
organisation holds a unique position in the United Nations family due to
its noble ideals, vision and purpose.
Sri Lanka, a member of this organisation since 1948 remains deeply
committed to these ideals, vision and purpose and stands wiling to serve
this organisation with all member states and the Director General, the
Minister said. |