Displaced children in Batticaloa back to school

Rafik JALALDEEN

COLOMBO: More than 11,000 displaced children in the Batticaloa district have been able to resume their education within three months with the assistance of Save the Children in Sri Lanka.

Save the Children is working with the Zonal Department of Education to help internally displaced children to resume their education without delay.

“Save the Children has assisted in the temporary enrolment into schools close to IDP camps, and providing of educational material such as bags, books and stationery, school uniforms and shoes,” an official said.

Meanwhile, on the request of the Zonal Director of Education, Save the Children provided 10 temporary structures for schools to accommodate 4,000 IDP children in temporary classrooms. Afternoon classes are being held for these children in the temporary classrooms.

“We have been able to enrol displaced children in nearby schools. This has helped to bring some normality to their lives, although they are displaced.

For children, education is always a priority,” Zonal Director of Education in Paddirippu, P. Pavalakanthan said. Around 75 temporary Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres were also set up by Save the Children in Batticaloa for 3,900 children including play material for IDP children while 160 teachers were provided teachers kit.

The ECD teachers were also provided awareness and training on child rights and protection.