TRO honours Tamil, Sinhala, and Muslim pre-school teachers in Trinco

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 October 2004, 04:25 GMT]
Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in Trincomalee district and Pre-School Educational Development Council (PSEDC) honoured pre-school teachers of all communities, Tamil, Sinhala and Muslims in the district, Wednesday, to mark the International Teachers' Day with the Trincomalee Government Agent Mr.Gamini Rodrigo as the chief guest.

LTTE Trincomalee district educational board head Mr.Kavi Anban handing over a prize to a Sinhala pre-school teacher of Kantalai education zone.

At the commencement about three hundred pre-school teachers from Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim education divisions in the Trincomalee district went in a procession from Trincomalee Mc Heyzer Stadium along the Dockyard Road to the venue, Trincomalee New Silver Star Hotel where the event took place with Nathaswaram music in attendance.

At the entrance to the venue band music group of pre-school children received pre-school teachers. Later TRO Trincomalee District Director Mr.Kiruba and Ms Nithiyapraba, co-ordinator of PSEDC in Trincomalee district hoisted the TRO and PSEDC flags respectively. Religious leaders of all faiths later blessed the occasion.

Government Agent Mr.Gamini Rodrigo speaking at the event. Mr.Indika Perara, OIC- Trincomalee Harbour Police, TRO Trinco Director Mr.Kiruba, TRO Trinco Project officer Mr.V.Kalaivarnan are also seen in the picture.

Police Officer Indika Perera handing over prize to a pre-school teacher.

"It's a memorable day in my life that pre-school teachers of all three communities who are engaged in moulding future citizens are honoured under one roof. This would help to produce a generation sans religious, language and racial differences. I am thankful for the TRO for organizing this function," said Mr.Gamini Rodrigo in his keynote address.

Ms Siriyani, Assistant Director of Education (ADE) in Kantalai Education Zone, Mr.S.Uthayakumar, ADE of Muttur education zone and Mr.S.Thavanatahan, ADE of Trincomalee education zone who are in charge of pre-schools in their respective zones spoke.

Mr.Gamini Rodrigo further said about 500 pre-schools are functioning in the district and of them about 51 are paid some financial assistance by the TRO and the rest are not getting any regular payment. These teachers in dilapidated buildings and under tree shades teach children of war torn families with great difficulties, he lamented.

TRO Trincomalee district Director Mr.Kiruba said about 20, 000 children have lost their parents in the two decade-old war and pre-school teachers have taken the responsibility of moulding them as future citizens of the country. But these pre-school teachers are neglected without any fixed payment and other facilities. TRO and PSEDC have formulated a scheme to look after the interest of these teachers, he added.

Mr.Kavi Anban, head of the Trincomalee Educational Board also spoke.

The guest of honour Mr.Indika Perera, Officer in Charge of the Trincomalee Harbour Police gave away the prizes to pre-school teacher.

Pre-school children band receive teachers.

Pre-school teachers being taken in a procession from Mc Heyzer Stadium.