Education of 20,000 displaced students in east affected - TNA

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 September 2006, 02:55 GMT]
"The education of at least 20 thousand displaced Tamil students, temporarily staying in the LTTE controlled area in the districts of Batticaloa and Trincomalee, has been affected very badly. These students had fled from their homes with their parents in the aftermath of indiscriminate aerial bombings and artillery fire by the Sri Lankan Forces”, said P.Ariyaneththiran, the Tamil National Alliance Member of Parliament for Batticaloa District Monday.

He further said in a press communiqué on the current situation:

“The Internally Displaced People are housed at schools in the villages of Vaharai, Kandalady, Vammivedduwan, Palsenai, Kathiraveli, Verugal, Vavunativu, Eachchantivu, Navatkadu, Kollan Ulai, Thumpankerny, Vellaveli, Vadamunai, Uththuchchenai, Eeralaikkulam and Periyavedduvan, and other public buildings in the LTTE controlled area in Batticaloa district and three schools in the Batticaloa Town.

“As a result, nearly 20 000 students who were displaced with their parents and have been staying in refugee camps face many difficulties. They have already lost their 2nd term learning in the schools and started to lose the very important 3rd and final academic term also.

“Although arrangements have been made to continue their studies in the schools located close to their temporary shelters, they face problems like shortage of school uniforms, stationeries, accommodation in the classrooms. These students are in urgent need of trauma counselling, etc.”

Mr. Ariyaneththiran further said he has already approached the Zonal Director of Education for Batticaloa district, and discussed about arranging the displaced students a separate time table for education and utilizing the services of displaced and dedicated retired teachers.