EducationEducation has always been highly valued in our culture. It was regarded as a pathway to university education, and eventually to careers in the civil service, medicine, accountancy, law and engineering. The adverse impact of the war in the northeast on education in those regions was considerable. Oru Paanai, recognizing the importance of reviving educational activities, has undertaken various endeavours to help in this regard. The late Ram Subramaniam was instrumental in promoting this project. The initiatives we supported were aimed at remediation – additional tuition classes in important subjects, like English, science and mathematics. These classes were mostly conducted by volunteers.
The initiatives OP has supported are as follows : 1. RHYTHM BATTICALOA – Extra English classes in Kanngkudah; classes in English, maths and science in Karadiyanaru; classes in English, maths and science in Illupadichenai. All these locations are in rural areas, remote fro Batticaloa Town. 2. Siva Thamil Manida Vidiya Kalaham was a project run by medical students in Jaffna – it was popularly known as Mahadeva Padippaham. The classes run by these young medics focused on all the important subjects, but also on cultural and spiritual welfare. These classes were based in Chunnaham, but their activities later moved to the war torn areas like Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. 3. All University Students Development Association AUSDA - Vavuniya District – This group provides financial support to impoverished students from Vavunia who need assistance to continue their studies. AUSDA also provides remedial classes for GCE O’Level students living in remote areas in the district. All three projects received financial contributions from OP. Quarterly reports were sent to OP till the successful completion of the projects. In Batticaloa district, OP helped to stage Science Exhibitions; workshops in maths, English and science; additional classes for year 10 students sitting the Grade 5 Scholarship examinations. Many students in Jaffna University often forego meals or work outside hours in restaurants to be able to pay for their accommodation and subsistence. In 2024, Oru Paanai started providing bursaries to the tune of 10,000 rupees per month for 10 medical students studying at the University of Jaffna. We then extended this assistance to other faculties as well, namely Arts, Hindu Studies, Engineering and Agriculture. The program was extended to University of Batticaloa in late 2025. In all, 34 students are being helped by OP at present. We received help for this project from new supporters who were moved by hearing about the plight of these students and came forward with financial help specifically for provision of bursaries. |
