A$ 10 million for 23 schools in North
Australia is contributing Rs 1 billion (A$10 million) to rebuild 23
schools in the Northern Province. The new schools will serve up to
12,000 children.
The High Commissioner said: "The Australian government is pleased to
be able to make such a significant contribution to the lives of children
and families in Kilinochchi.
These buildings will help the community to continue to rebuild.""We
are thankful to Australia for their contribution to improve education in
Sri Lanka," said UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Reza Hossaini. "We are
also grateful for the partnership between Australia, the Education
Ministry and UNICEF."
"After the war, we used to study under the trees, but now we have a
new school," said Kouthika, a student of the Kilinochchi school.
Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam which was damaged during the conflict, is
now home to 24 new classrooms, an open air theatre and an auditorium.
Mudie said: "Physical damage to schools is among the most disastrous
effects of conflict. It destroys not only a familiar and important part
of the local community, but can affect children's educational experience
for any years. The newly constructed buildings will provide a better
learning environment, with larger class-rooms and improved facilities."
The school's principal, A. Pangayatselvan who has seen his school
undergo a rapid transformation expressed gratitude to Australia and
UNICEF for providing the buildings.
In addition to funding the reconstruction of the school, Australia
has also funded teachers at the school to be trained in child-centred
teaching methodologies, a proven way to help children improve their
learning outcomes.
"The substantial funding by Australia is not limited to construction
of school buildings.
Australia has played an equally important role in improving the
quality of teaching and learning through the expansion of the Child
Friendly Approach," Hossaini said.
UNICEF piloted the Child Friendly Approach in 1,500 schools around
the country.
Australia has worked in partnership with UNICEF in Sri Lanka since
the mid 1990s.
UNICEF's support to education in Sri Lankan centres on advocating for
quality approaches to learning and teaching, promoting peace education
and social cohesion and ensuring that vulnerable and out of school
children have opportunities to learn.
The A$10 million funding school reconstruction is part of Australia's
development cooperation program with Sri Lanka, which will total over
A$40 million in 2012-13.
Australian development assistance focuses primarily on health,
education and sustainable economic development, with programs located in
lagging regions across the country.
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