Published on - 5/26/2004
Enthusiastic members of the public, tutorial staff and Jaffna based soldiers scotched media rumours and joined hands together recently to prepare groundwork for the re-opening of the abandoned Government\'s Tamil Mixed School in Eluthumadduval north.
A crowd of parents, teachers and members of the public, joined by hundreds of Army Officers and soldiers were at the forefront to organize this three hour long Shramadana, voluntary campaign, meant to get rid of garbage and unwanted materials from the school premises before groundwork for renovation and rebuilding got underway.
Four UNHCR representatives, who had agreed to grant funds to renovate and rebuild school's dilapidated buildings, were present at the location. The special Swiss envoy present exchanged views with a section of the public and members of the tutorial staff attending this voluntary campaign. He told the gathering that they (UNHCR) was impressed with the community participation in the project and geared to help towards the progress of the school further in the future.
A tea party that ensued afterwards to mark the occasion was shared with all those who attended the Shramadana including the UNHCR representatives. The school is to be re-opened shortly after a couple of other requirements are streamlined.
Earlier, a north based Tamil daily in its issue on 18th May 2004 claimed that this school was among many others that cannot be reopened for children since the school premises was infested with landmines, said to have been planted by Security Forces.
