International Teachers Day celebration in Kalmunai draws thousands

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 October 2004, 23:32 GMT]
International Teachers Day celebrations were held in Kalmunai, Wesley College grounds on Wednesday in a large scale involving Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala communities. About 2000 pre school teachers from Batticaloa and Ampara districts were taken in procession with pre school children's bands from Batticaloa district and Sinhala zones in Ampara district. The main banner leading the procession was carried by Muslim, Tamil and Sinhala Pre school teachers.

The event was organized by Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in collaboration with Pre school Education Development Centre – NorthEast Province.

The event was said to be the first of its kind involving all the religious and ethnic communities stressing the need to give high importance to early childhood development, sources said. It was a new experience for the people of the Ampara district. Thousands of people from all walks of life had come to see the exhibition that was organized with the intention of creating awareness among the public about the importance of pre school education and early childhood development.

The exhibition was also an exercise ment to help to bring about social harmony and community reconciliation among different communities in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts, according to the organisers of the event.

The theme of the exhibition was the future vision of Sri Lanka as a developed country in all the sectors through pre school education as an entry point for social change and the early childhood development as a solid base for building a better future. Science concept and advancement was the main component in the theme.

The exhibition was ceremoniously opened by Government Agent Ampara Mr.Herath Abeyaveera on the 4th of October. All 24 education zones from NorthEast participated in the exhibition.

The chief guest of the final day event was Mr.T.Ponnambalam, additional Director of Education, Provincial Ministry of Education. Mr. S.Selvarajah Senior lecturer and Head of ECD Unit in the Eastern University presided over the stage proceeding.

TRO flag was hoisted by Mr.Rajendram, TRO district Director, Ampara. Pre school Education Development Centre – NorthEast Province flag was hoisted by Mrs.G.N.Ismail, PSEDC Ampara district treasurer.

Mr. T.Ponnambalam, Additional director, Mr.S. Selvarajah, Senior Lecturer, Eastern University, Provincial Ministry of Education, Zonal director of Education of Kalmunai Zone, AGA Paddiriuppu Mr.Alagaratnam, Lawrence Christy, Planning Director TRO, Ampara and Batticaloa TRO directors, Mr. Rajendram and Deverajan, Assistant Directors of Education (ECD) from Batticaloa and Ampara districts, Zulfika, Project Coordinator of National Islamic Cultural Development Organization lit the traditional lamp. The welcome speech was delivered by Mrs.K.G. Murin, ADE pre school Ampara district.

Speeches were given by the Chief Guest, Mr.T.Ponnambalam, additional Director of Education, Provincial Ministry of Education. Mr. S.Selvarajah Senior lecturer and Head of ECD Unit in the Eastern University, Mr.Manivasakam, President of NGO Consortium and Mr. Lawrence Christy, Planning Director, TRO.

Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim clergy men blessed the event and cultural events from Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala pre school teachers enriched the celebration with colourful dance and musical performances. Prizes were given to all the education divisions who have come with exhibits for the exhibition organized in the event of the International Teachers Day.