On a bright Tuesday morning in late September, Vakarai – a sleepy fishing village located about 300 kilometres east of the capital Colombo on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka – bustled with activity.

Its villagers, who recovered from the destruction of the 2004 tsunami and the devastation of the armed conflict earlier this year, savour the peace and tranquility that now surround their village. But on that particular day the villagers, especially the children, had more reason to be happy. They were preparing for the presidential opening of their newly reconstructed school, Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam.

Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam suffered the wrath of the tsunami and all efforts to reconstruct the school came to a halt because of the armed conflict. Despite the setback, the new school was finally completed through the support of the European Union (EU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and IOM.

Standing today in place of the old, partially destroyed school is an ultra modern learning complex – the largest primary and secondary school on the east coast, a monument of hope for the children of Vakarai."During the past five years we studied under difficult conditions, no proper classrooms, water and sanitation facilities or play areas," says Lakshan, a grade seven student, pointing to the nearby makeshift school they have been attending. "We can now study in this big school with a lot of facilities. I am indeed very happy today," Lakshan says as he and his friends eagerly await the President of Sri Lanka to officially open the school.

The school currently accommodates more than 700 students through Grades 1 to 13 with adequate facilities for increased enrolment in the coming years. The facilities include permanent buildings for primary and secondary levels; an assembly hall; a library; science, computer, vocational and technology laboratories; administration offices; a language centre; aesthetics rooms, a canteen and live-in facilities for tutorial and administrative staff.

"This new school complex will bring about a positive change for the students as well as the tutorial and administrative staff. Their behaviour, activities, surroundings will change and this is important for the development of our village and the empowerment of the next generation," explains Mr. Balamuraleetharan, a teacher at the school.

The children, mostly from farming and fishing communities, travel as far as 10km to get to school. Some make the journey on the back of their parents’ bicycles, while others walk. The new complex, spanning a floor area of 6,000 square metres and with all modern facilities, is a dream come true for them.

"This school is huge compared to the one which was here before and we feel privileged to be studying here," says 15-year-old Prashantha.

"I want to be a teacher and teach in this new school to help my community," says Tanojini while her friend Vasanthy adds, "It is an important day for us as the new school is declared open by His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka in the presence of many other dignitaries. We are so proud to be a part of this celebration."

The new school cost EUR 1.88 million (approximately LKR 300 million) to build with funding from the European Union. The Government of Sri Lanka contributed nearly EUR 59,000 (LKR 10 million) worth of furniture and equipment for the school.

In his address, the Education Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Mr. Susil Premjayantha, said that the Government's intention was to give all Sri Lankans equal opportunities in education irrespective of where they live.

During the opening, His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa extended his gratitude to the stakeholders of the project including the EU, IOM and the Ministry of Education. Addressing the students, he said, "Equip yourselves with quality education using the modern facilities available, as it is one thing which could not be taken from you.

"Dear children, you are flag bearers of the nation and the ones who should protect this country tomorrow. Today's children are the ones who would become kings tomorrow," concluded President Rajapaksa to a roar of applause from the audience.

 

As the official ceremony came to a close, hundreds of happy children played in front of the new school buildings with treats in their hands, broad smiles on their faces and a sense of pride.

 

Their future looked brighter than ever.