Projects 2018 - 2020

Introduction:

The 30 years of protracted war has ended in Sri Lanka and the change of Government has instilled hope in every Sri Lankan towards a better future, especially among the minority communities, a ray of hope for justified peace in their homeland. The functioning of the Northern Provincial Council in Sri Lanka is considered as a step forward in creating democratic perspectives, paving the way for a sustainable political solution for the root causes of the war. Rehabilitation of the refugees and displaced is ongoing with lot of infra-structural development taking place with the support of foreign donors. 

Having looked at the positive side of developments, the damage done by the war is so humongous that coming back to normalcy in life is a question for many. Everyone is traumatized by the severity of the war, loss of dear ones, loss to property and livelihood. There have been no concrete interventions commissioned to find a solution to those ‘lost in the war’, though the Presidential Commission has heard and recorded the witnesses. Lands have been taken over by the armed forces and hence many are denied access to their own homes and thereby lost their traditional occupations.

Identified Situation:

Among the most affected are the children, women and also the youth who were the fighters as well as the target of the armed forces. Many have been killed during the war and many of them have been disabled. Frustrated children and youth are getting addicted to drugs and other substances which again is claimed to be a planned deterioration of the community, by outside elements. Rape and killings have been reported and mostly the culprits are at stake.

Education which is the back bone of the Tamil speaking Community has also faced a lot of blows and bounces due to displacement and unfavourable living conditions for the families especially the children. Poverty is predominant in the northern and eastern Districts and malnutrition among children is a pathetic situation waiting for redemption.

Need Analysis and justification:

Performances in examinations are becoming poor and the children are frustrated over their situation. Performances in Grade 5 Examinations though has improved has yet to widen the scope for more children. The children who do not get a pass in Mathematics in the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination are allowed to follow G.C.E. Advance Level with the ‘conditional emphasis’ to get the needed pass before sitting the AL Exam. Some schools have even allowed some of the students to sit for the AL Exam with the assurance of the students to be qualified sooner or later. The struggle is though some of them have got through the AL Exam, the result becomes null and void since they do not posses pass in Maths in the OL.

To remedy such a plight, a forward plan is necessary and the expected target group are the students in Grades 6,7 and 8 whose situation is given below:

• Students in Grades 6.7 and 8 were born during the war and have been subjected to several displacements
• Receiving proper and stable primary education was difficult
• Were brought up in refugee camps and some without parents and guardians
• They learnt their primary education without understanding the importance of learning
• Because of displacement they have been not able to study in one particular school
• Lack of teachers for Maths, Science and English has been a continued struggle in Mannar and still continuing.
• Displacement also has affected teachers since they are forced to stay away from their families
• Parents are not able to provide extra care for studies due to poor home situations

It is our expectation that targeting these children and raising their standards by providing them additional inputs, would create a bright and quality future for them. 

 The Proposed Project

Goal: To create a quality student population in the Mannar District, by improving the standard of education of the children in the secondary level and supporting them to face the challenges in learning

Project Purpose: To improve basic competencies of 2000 selected  lower rank children of Grades 6,7 & 8 of Mannar, Musali and Nanattan zones, and elevate them to the expected standards, through  intensive coaching  in Maths, Science and English, in three years

Results:

1. Motivation to learn Maths, Science and English increased among the students in secondary level
2. Performance in examinations improved among the selected students
3. Positive Attitudinal and behavioural changes  enjoyed by the students and the community

Activities:

• Selecting a panel of experts to prepare Specific Study Packs for Maths, Science and English for Grades 6,7 & 8.
• Identifying resource personnel
• Training selected Resource personnel on the Study Pack
• Informing the principals on selecting the children who are scoring below 35/40
• Allocating Study Centres- List attached
• Coaching children
• Monitoring progress
• Evaluating the process and progress
• Following up on needed issues
• Beneficiaries of the Project: Selected 2000 students from the schools in Mannar, Musali and Nanattan zones who score below 35/40 marks in the exam.
• Time slot: 03 years- This project will be a success if it is continued for three years by which the grade six child would have reached Grade 9.
• The budget proposed is for One year and the preparation of the Study pack will not be necessary in the other two years since the prepared Study Pack can be used.

Methodology:

• Principals of all the 42 Schools of the Mannar Zone- in Mannar, Musali and Nanattan will be selecting the children who are below the standard especially getting marks below 35 by administering a special proficiency test with the support of the Study Pack Panel.
• Coaching classes will be conducted in 12 centres and the centres have been selected taking into consideration, covering all three areas and the children having easy access to the centres.
• Classes will be conducted during April and August holidays- 10 days in April being short vacation and 20 days in August being longer vacation.
• Exams will be conducted in April and progress of the students will be followed up in classes and through the August school Exam. Needed coaching will be given in August vacation and the process will be followed up.

Coordination of Project Implementation:

• Overall Co-ordination: Mrs.Suganthy Sebastian, Zonal Director of Education-ZDE, Mannar Zone will be responsible for the overall management of this project.
• Fund transfers from the Mannar Welfare Association – UK will be handles directly by the Accounts Department under the supervision of the ZDE
• Project Co-ordination: A responsible person will be nominated by the ZDE, at her own discretion
• Monitoring Support: The working Committee of the Mannar Welfare Association-UK, in Mannar will liaise with the ZDE and support the smooth implementation of the project as well as, would be reporting to the Mannar Welfare Association- UK as an when necessary.od music and delicious food. One of the best moments was undoubtedly Grandpa John's toast to the birthday girl.

Budget  for 2018

LIST OF THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND CENTRES WHERE THE CLASSES ARE TO BE CONDUCTED

While appreciating the good will of the Mannar Welfare Association-UK to support the welfare of the needy children of Mannar, we also thank the members for their continued support rendered to different schools and children in Mannar District, as well as for the Diploma in English Programme conducted to AL drop outs which was  supported by the Education Department.

We hope the proposed project is meeting up to your goals and aspirations and we assure you, that we would execute the implementation of the project, to the general standard expected by the Mannar Welfare Association- UK, which would bring about a major change in the Learning Life of 2000 student population in Mannar.

Thank you!

Yours in service,

Mrs.Suganthy Sebastian

Zonal Director of Education

Mannar Zone

05.11.2018