Rajiva Wijesinha

“ I was reminded, watching the class at Kattankudy, of what three school principals in Mutur had told me when I visited the place in 2008. They each, Muslim and Sinhala and Tamil, ran a small school, each suffered from teacher shortages. They could not understand why they could not have a single school for all the children of the area, one that would require fewer teachers, and which could then be developed in a consolidated manner. All three noted that they would be in favour of English medium, because that would bring the students together even more effectively. ”

“ But, while that would be difficult, except in perhaps one or two subjects, bringing the students together in the same school, even if in different streams, would do so much to limit the sense of alienation that has been built up over so many decades.
Kattankudy ten years ago reminded one graphically of the problem. Current initiatives however, in bringing people together, suggest how ready solutions are within our grasp. ”

“ When I went in 2009, the situation was completely different. The concerns were now about education, and ensuring that the youngsters of the East could take advantage of the new opportunities that were being opened up. ”