Australia provides new schools for Kilinochchi children

Two schools damaged prior to 2009 have been rebuilt with funding from the Australian Government. These schools were handed over to education authorities in Kilinochchi at a ceremony to mark the occasion.

The schools were constructed at Rs 112 million as part of a joint partnership between the Australian government and UNICEF together with the Education Ministry.

The Pallai Central College and Massar Primary will now provide good quality, modern facilities for nearly 2,000 children.

Both schools were listed by the government as priority schools requiring immediate construction and renovation in the aftermath of the conflict. At the official opening, Australian High Commissioner, Kathy Klugman, said yesterday: "The Australian government is very pleased to be able to make such a significant contribution to the lives of children and families in Kilinochchi".

"This will allow these schools to extend good education services to much of the region, particularly given Pallai Central College's importance to the district. Through the partnership with UNICEF and the government, we have built schools that are bigger than originally designed and should be able to meet the needs of local communities for many years to come," she said.

Additional work are still to be undertaken at the schools, although students can now look forward to starting the third term in the new classrooms in September UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Reza Hossaini thanked the Australian government for their support.

"Education is the foundation of a nation's development and these schools will help in rebuilding a better future for the children of Pallai and Massar," he said.

The schools were constructed as part of a Rs 1 billion partnership between the Australian government and UNICEF to rebuild or repair around 23 conflict affected schools in the Northern Province. The project will continue until late 2012.