Education in Trinco gaining momentum

by Anushka Nanayakkara and Sajitha Prematunge

Trinco Campus lecture Hall

A Muslim School in Muttur

Trinco Campus canteen

The Old Commission’s building

When we got the opportunity to visit the University in Trincomalee and schools in Muthur, we came to realize that having an education simply is and the only line to success for these students in rural areas. The distant view of the University did surprise us because compared to Kelaniya or Colombo campuses the structure of the Trincomalee University did have a vital difference.

Formed in 1993 as Affiliated University College, in 2001 it was reestablished as an Affiliation of the Eastern University. It looked more like a house which consists of lecture rooms, an administration office, staff room, Library and at the back of the premises the hostel for students.

Due to the renovation of the Old Commissioner's Building (OCB) built by the British government was badly ravaged by the attacks of LTTE before the security forces liberated the east. So once again due to this, the space factor has become one of the major difficulties the students are facing. However, the OCB is now under renovation. One of the only standing lecture halls is a hut covered with coconut fronds.

Four students have to share accommodation, students say; of course with separate accommodation for girls and boys. The hostels are in considerably good condition, except for the fact that water can not be consumed.

All the water for the students come from one filter in the only canteen they have. We were also informed that 95 percent of the students are from rural areas like Matara, Anuradhapura, Welimada, up country and Galle.

The Trincomalee University dispite all hardships, has two functioning faculties, the Faculty of Communications, which consists of a Department of Languages and Communications and Business and Management Studies and the Faculty of Applied Science, consisting a Department of Physical Science and a Department of Computer Science.

According to the Senior Assistant Registrar Satiya Seelan, the UGC has already approved an Indigenous Medicine Faculty as well, which would be funded by the Indian government.

The university also offers external degrees and according to the Senior Assistant Registrar the main problem the students face is the lack of equipment, non academic staff, lecture halls and lecturers. 'We are out sourcing from universities like Colombo and Sabaragamuwa, because we need a considerable number of lecturers.' he said. Since 1995 no permanent positions for clerks have been filled.

The students said that though they do have a ragging session for the new batch, physical ragging is strictly forbidden.

The students did comment on the security in the east and were very much satisfied with it and did not forget to thank the three armed forces for taking away the sleepless nights that they had.

The only Sinhala school in Muttur, Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya, situated in the premises of a temple has only 41 students and conduct classes only until GCE Ordinary Level. Of the seven students who sat for the O/Ls five would be sitting for the Advanced Level examination, according to the principal, Rohanagala.

One of the students - U. G. Preethimali has been fortunate enough to participate in the all island athletic meet and had secured the fifth place.

J. M. Iqbal, principal of a Muslim school in Muttur, says that the school has 562 students and 20 teachers, but need seven more to fill vacancies for English, Maths and Science teachers. There are forty to forty five students in each class.

However the Zonal Director of Education has verbally promised to provide more teachers in near future. While Tamil is the main medium of language in the school, Sinhala is taught as the second language.

During one of the functions held recently at the school, Commander Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Serasinghe, has identified the pressing need for educating the children in the English language. As a result extra classes have been organized by the Commander and the classes are conducted by the retired AGA.

[email protected]