| Needs | Achievements | Gaps | | Overall, approximately 100,000 school-going age children, including those in IDP camps and the resettled and displaced host communities, require safe and secure learning spaces (assuming 100% Gross Enrollment Rate), learning materials such as blackboards, teaching material and school supplies. | During the reporting period, 1,000 learning kits in Vavuniya, 2,400 learning kits in Manthai West, 55 recreational kits in Thunukkai, 1,200 slippers in Thunukkai and Manthai West and 200 tarpaulins in Thunukkai and Kilinochchi were distributed with UNICEF support. In Menik Farm 2,050 water bottles with a mine awareness logo have been distributed to students. In Trincomalee 220 lower primary school kits, 282 secondary school kits, 502 school bags, 85 water bottles, 23 lunch boxes and 3 school-in-a-box were distributed in Muthur resettlement schools. To date, a total of 81,861 learning kits, 2,798 teachers' kits, 66,876 school bags, 2,019 tarpaulins, 547 blackboards and 355 recreational kits have been distributed among the IDPs and returnees in Vavuniya, Thunukkai, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Mannar and Madhu. | | | As the pace of the resettlement is increasing, host schools in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Madhu and Trincomalee need to provide children with safe learning space, school furniture, learning materials and the appropriate number of trained teachers. Specific attention should focus on ensuring enrolment of the most vulnerable students. The on-going construction of temporary learning spaces in Menik Farm must remain flexible to accommodate movement of the IDPs in the camps. | Continuous advocacy and support is provided to O-level students in preparing for the exams in December. Approximately 6,000 students have been supported in IDP camps in Vavuniya by ATD funded by UNICEF. In Trincomalee 197 O-level students are supported with extra classes over weekends by the Provincial Department of Education and UNICEF. | | | IDP children require the delivery of specific education programming to compensate for interruptions to their education. | A total of 2,000 students began attending 3 schools formerly occupied by IDPs as a result of continuous advocacy by education officials and UNICEF. | | | Better coordination among different stakeholders is needed, including the Ministry of Education, sub-regional departments of education (provincial and zonal), donor and NGO agencies and other actors to respond to the growing needs and to set a coherent approach both for short-term and medium to longer-term plans. | | There is a need to enhance the quality of education in the temporary classrooms; providing reading corners, book boxes and training to teachers and community members (youth). Plans for an alternative, accelerated programme are on-going. | | | A total of 23 schools in the resettlement areas in the Vanni have reopened, including 11 schools in Madhu, 8 schools in Mannar and 4 schools in Thunukkai. Continuous assessments for the needs of reintegrated students are conducted throughout the resettlement areas and support is provided for students' smooth reintegration into schools. As the capacity of host schools to absorb new students is very limited, support for the construction of temporary learning spaces, the provision of stationary, uniforms and shoes has been ongoing. | The teacher shortage is a great concern in the IDP camps and the resettled areas of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, and the Vanni. In Menik Farm the teachers who are currently sustaining the schools are mostly volunteer teachers and are not receiving any payments. | |
