NEP Basic Sector Education cell opened in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 April 2004, 14:54 GMT]
A cell has been opened in the North East Provincial Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs, Sports and Youth Affairs to co-ordinate the activities of the Basic Education Sector Programme (BESP), which is a joint venture of both the Sri Lankan Ministry of Education and the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ). NEPC Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah, who declared open the cell, said the cell should become a Provincial Institute of Education (PIE) in the future, education sources said.

Teacher In service project (TIP) in the NEP, Basic Education for Children in Disadvantaged Areas (BECARe) and Vanni Education Rehabilitation Project (VERP) function under the BESP, sources said.

NEPC Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah( with garlands) declaring the cell by cutting the ribbon while GTZ/BESP Senior Advisor Dr.Huck ( extreme left ) and Provincial Ministry Secretary Mr.Thiyagalingam ( middle) look on.

The senior Advisor of BESP, Dr.G.Huck, speaking at the event said future GTZ supported education activities may focus on education and rehabilitation in the northeast and the countrywide peace education programme.

He commended the NEP administration for making the GTZ education projects a model to the rest of the country.

The TIP, which is now in operation island-wide, was first started in the NEP in 1999. " I am proud to say that it is the NEP experience which became a motivation for the extension of the programme island-wide," Dr.Huck said.

Mr.Rangarajah said, "GTZ education projects have created many positive impacts in our society. They carry out scientific research, publish reports and implement activities. In the same manner, the projects under BESP also perform commendable tasks. The rich experiences gained by the GTZ education projects during the last five years have to be documented. All their reports, studies, etc., should be made available for the use of all those who are interested. It would be better to make them available on websites."

"The cell that is opened today cannot remain as it is in the future. It should be converted into a centre for research and innovations. In the long run it should become a Provincial Institute for Education (PIE),"stressed Mr.Rangarajah.

He further said that the capacity that is developed through GTZ education projects should not be allowed to evaporate after the phasing out of the projects.

Presiding over the event, Provincial Education Ministry Secretary, Mr.R.Thiayagalingam, said that the cell has been opened with the sole purpose to co-ordinate the TIP, BECARe and VERP projects to continue them even after the GTZ contribution comes to an end next year.

The message sent by the Head of the BESP, Dr.Michael Hirth, was read out at the event by his secretary.

Provincial Director of Education, Mr.S.Mahalingam, Technical Advisors Mr.C. Nadarajah and Mr. Sundaram Divakalala, provincial secretaries and heads of departments also participated at the event.