The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity. I will be brief.

¶ 02 We support the new education reforms. Policy must prepare our education community to face current economic conditions and scientific advances. Facilities must be distributed equitably nationwide. Owing to war and other problems, many schools in the East—including my Batticaloa District—lack buildings, furniture, and teacher resources.

¶ 03 In the Kalmunai (Kalkudah) Education Zone, there is an acute teacher shortage—especially mathematics: 75 needed, but only 25 in post. With such resource gaps, how can we ensure equity? Provincial schools are many; national schools few. Provincial budget allocations must be increased to meet needs. Many schools lack even furniture; students study under severe constraints.

¶ 04 In Batticaloa, each zone has a national school. At Pattiruppu Maha Vidyalaya, there is a shortage of science laboratory equipment—please address this. In Kalkudah, the laboratory building at Vaalaichenai Hindu College remains incomplete—please provide funds to finish it. St. Michael’s College (over 150 years old) lacks sufficient buildings; a four-storey block is needed—please support directly through the Ministry as it is a national school.

¶ 05 Teacher shortages persist nationwide. Many graduates remain unemployed; next year’s recruitment must be expedited and properly targeted to fill regional needs.

¶ 06 In vocational education, graduates should have pathways comparable to university graduates—ensure NVQ Level 7 offerings and address trainer shortages (currently most only up to NVQ Level 6).

¶ 07 We thank the allocations to the Eastern University—for the Medical Faculty and Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies. Please regularize the Deans for the Faculty of Siddha Medicine and the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and expand hostel facilities—over 3,000 students study there, with inadequate accommodation and limited private options near Vantharumoolai.

¶ 08 Most importantly, equity in resource allocation must be ensured between provincial and national schools and across zones to achieve real educational equality. Teacher numbers vary drastically between zones; in Kalkudah, vacancies are severe—please prioritize filling them.