Situated in a district that was once home to the headquarters of the terrorist organisation known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), these schools had been in a dilapidated condition due to the near-30-year conflict.
The following schools had benefitted: St. Theresa's Girls' College Kilinochchi, Sivanagar Government Tamil Mixed School, Bharathy Vidyalaya Kilinochchi, Ramanathapuram West Government Tamil Mixed School, Konavil Government Tamil Mixed School, Ramanathapuram Maha Vidyalaya, Vaddakkachchi Maha Vidyalaya, Piramanthanaru Maha Vidyalaya, Tharmapuram Maha Vidyalaya, Murugananda College, Veravil Hindu Maha Vidyalaya, Iranaitivu Roman Catholic Tamil Mix School and Kiranchi Government Tamil Mixed School.
Speaking about the renovations, Mr. Perumal Ganeshan, Principal of the Barathy Vidyalaya in Kilinochchi, said, "The students who were deprived from the opportunity of occupying luxurious (amenities) are now privileged to enjoy their school life with marvelous facilities."
Additional facilities such as accommodation for teachers, buildings that can accommodate up to 100 classrooms and Mahindodaya Technological Laboratories have also been provided to some of the schools.
“We need technology in order to make new entrepreneurs of the future,” said Mr. Ganeshan, speaking about the new technological facilities. “Moreover, the attractiveness of the building enhances the psychological drive by enhancing their interest to learn.”
The Educational Secretary for the Northern Province Mr. M. Sathyaseelan said that these facilities are a tremendous addition for the lives of the children in the Province who were in a helpless situation due to the war. He also stated that these facilities are basic facilities that children need for a good education and that he expects the children in the region will make maximum use of them. (KH)