Accelerated resettlement:

No more IDPs in Vavuniya schools

All schools in Vavuniya which temporarily housed IDPs have now been reopened for school activities following the relocation of inmates at welfare villages, said Northern Governor G. A. Chandrasiri.

Issuing a release, the Governor said by now they have been able to use 18 such schools that have been vacated by IDPs who were relocated at welfare villages.

Since the resettlement activities of these welfare villages too are being accelerated it was decided to transfer inmates housed in schools to the welfare village, the release added.

The Government has also taken steps to ensure uninterrupted education for children at these welfare centres. The student population from these welfare centres have now dropped to 35,000 - a third of the children of schoolgoing age. Around 70,000 schoolchildren have now been resettled, together with their parents.

The third term is now over and the opportunity has been given for students to sit for their GCE (O/L) exams. Twenty five teachers from Colombo have been sent to assist these children to prepare themselves for the exam.

Since the President under the Mahinda Chintana has paid special attention to children's education under the direction of Uthuru Vasanthaya Task Force head Basil Rajapaksa, steps have been taken to reopen all schools in the North without delay.

The Government has also spent Rs 3 million for school books and equipment in the resettled areas. Altogether, 11 schools in the Mannar and Madhu zone, six schools in Mullaitivu, Thunnukkai zone and three schools in Kilinochchi have been opened.