http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Ex_LTTE_cadres_sit_for_GCE_Ordinary_Level_exam_20121212_06

Ex -LTTE cadres sit for GCE Ordinary Level exam

Seventy four ex LTTE cadres under rehabilitation are sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examination this year (2012).

Forty seven (47) youth from Poonthottam and twenty seven (27) youth from Welikanda rehabilitation centers are sitting for the exam at the Vavuniya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya and Welikanda Madya Maha Vidyalaya respectively.

Special permission was sought from the Department of Examinations by rehabilitation authorities in order to facilitate the candidature of these youth for the exam. All necessary books and learning materials were made available for them to prepare for the exam. They were also provided with special tutoring by well experienced and qualified teachers.

With the humanitarian operations coming to a successful end in 2009 the government was left with about 12000 LTTE combatants who had surrendered to the security forces. These include women and child soldiers as well. A well planned rehabilitation programme was laid out to de-radicalize and rehabilitate these youth. Much emphasis was paid to continuation of education of these youth.

A special programme for 'catch up education' was provided in collaboration with the Education Department for young adults who opted for the programme.

Formal education was provided, with classes being conducted for more than 200 students between Grade 8 and Grade 11, and 65 students in the Advanced Level sections.166 beneficiaries including 128 males and 38 females sat for the GCE Ordinary Level examination in 2010, of which 91 passed and got qualified for the Advanced Level. And 62 beneficiaries including 18 females sat for the Ordinary Level exam in 2011 out of which 21 got qualified for the Advanced Level.

A total 361 beneficiaries including 109 females sat for the GCE Advanced Level examination in 2010, out of which 222 of these beneficiaries including 73 females passed the exam.

In 2011, 304 beneficiaries sat for the Advanced Level examination, of which 43 became eligible to apply for university admission.

This is yet another feather in the cap for the rehabilitation programme, which has so far successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated about 11500 ex-LTTE combatants back to their society. This speaks volumes of the commitment of the government in making the reconciliation programme a success.