Pallai school reopens after 8 years

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 February 2004, 11:39 GMT]
Kilinochchi district Government Agent, T.Rasanayagam, reopened Allipallai Government Mixed School in Pallai in its original location after eight years, local media reported. Displaced residents of Allipallai started resettling in their own lands beginning of year 2003, and have been lobbying for opening of their schools.

Education Commissioner P.Ariyaratnam had been working with the Kilinochchi GA conveying the educational needs of the newly resettled children prompting Kilinochchci GA to allocate Rs.89,000 for the renovation of the war damaged buildings of the school.

School Development Board undertook the renovation and regular classes are due to begin soon.

Mr.A.Thangavel has been appointed as the new principal.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) occupied the school building from 1996 forcing the schools to close.

Meanwhile, local reports also said, Vembodukerni Tamil Mixed School in Pallai also has started functioning in its original location in Ithavil. Following the return of displaced people from the area, the school was functioning in the grounds of Anthiran Church in Pallai.

Temporary buildings have now been constructed in the play grounds of the old school and all classes have now been restarted, according to reports.

Education officials expressed confidence with increasing number of displaced residents returning to Ithavil, Vembodukerni and Inthirapuram areas, the number of children attending these schools is expected to swell, the reports said.