Australia, UNICEF open new school

Australian High Commissioner Robyn Mudie opened Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam at a ceremony recently. The school has 2,000 students.

The school was funded by Australia and built in partnership with UNICEF.

Australian High Commissioner Robyn Mudie opening the school

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.

Addressing the gathering 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 many years. The newly constructed buildings will provide a better learning environment, with larger classrooms 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 programme 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 programmes located in lagging regions across the country. The opening was attended by local officials, parents, teachers and students.