Shortage of teachers, overcrowding in Kilinochchi school

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 February 2003, 20:31 GMT]
Students of the Akkarayan Maha Vidyalayam in Kilinochchi and their parents complain that they face severe hardships as a result of a shortage of space and teachers at the school.

When the Sri Lankan army’s operation Sath Jaya was conducted in Kilinochchi, many schools in the town and neighboring areas were relocated to Akkarayankulam for a safer environment. As the displaced people are resettling in Kilinochchi, some of the schools are also back in operation in the town. However, many displaced students unable to return to their homes have continued to enroll in the Akkarayan school, resulting in overcrowding at the school.

Currently there are more than 1100 students and only 24 permanent teachers, with 9 volunteer teachers and 1 part-time teacher. As a result, there are no teachers to teach many classes and students are frustrated. Moreover, lack of furniture has left many students without a table and forced them to sit on the ground.