55,000 school children from 190 schools have displaced in Vanni

(October 28, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) "Close to 55,000 school children from 190 schools have displaced in Vanni since 2006. Most of the displaced schools have combined with the schools that have not displaced and are functioning," political wing of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam says in a statement. "Some are operating two sessions each session with reduced hours. Few schools have stopped functioning after displacement. The children have also lost their school text books, exercise books, stationary and school bags in the massive displacement. 300,000 exercise books and other stationary items must be supplied to these children so that they can continue their education. Their parents having lost their livelihood are not in a position to purchase these items for the children, " it added. In a meeting held in Vavuniya the Directors of Education from Vanni have also appealed for any excess text books that are stagnating in Vavuniya to be transported for the use of the IDP children in Vanni.

According to the statement received by Sri Lanka Guardian through email, "Though the displaced schools managed to shift most of the movable property there is extreme shortage of class room space. Even sheds have not been built yet for these schools to cater for the sudden increase in student numbers. Additional toilets are also desperately needed in these combined schools which are finding that their enrollments have instantly doubled. The Directors of Education have estimated that an additional 300 toilets are needed for these schools."

"A model toilet to be built with wooden floor and empty barrels sunk in the ground as pit have been approved by the local health authorities in the absence of cement which is blocked by the Sri Lanka Government. Indeed the Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu District Secretariats have estimated that the IDP population needs 5280 such toilets to maintain hygiene. Without this step before the onset of the rainy season, the IDPs will be in dire health risk."

"Many of the IDP children are still living under tarpaulins in muddy areas. The District Secretariats have requested 20,000 temporary shelters to be built of pipes and thatched roofs each costing just LKR 40,000.00. They are still awaiting the delivery of these while the children live and sleep in muddy ground and without adequate toilets." - Sri Lanka Guardian