The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity in this Adjournment Debate on education reforms. I appreciate the Hon. Prime Minister’s efforts on reforms. This morning, the need for a zonal education office at the Pothuvil Divisional Secretariat level was raised. I wish to elaborate.

¶ 02 Since 1998, 100 zonal education offices have been established. In Pothuvil, where three communities live together, 21 Muslim schools are placed under the Akkaraipattu Zone, eight Tamil schools under the Thirukkovil Zone, and two Sinhala schools under the Ampara Zone—an ethnic segregation by zones. The President has emphasized unity, development and collective happiness. Segregating education administration in Pothuvil by ethnicity undermines unity. For 15 years, citizens, intellectuals, scholars, MPs and our party’s National Leader Hon. Rauff Hakeem have tried to change this, but without success—even as zones increased from 92 to 100. During my tenure here, I earnestly request that a new education zone be established for Pothuvil.

¶ 03 Preschool teachers currently receive only Rs. 6,000 as an allowance. Those who are trained should be given appointments into the teaching service in future.

¶ 04 On higher education: the South Eastern University’s Tourism Department is attempting to establish a branch in Pothuvil, pending land alienation by the Divisional Secretary. If expedited, it will progress. Similarly, land has been allocated for an Open University branch due to efforts by former Higher Education Minister Alhaj Rauff Hakeem; please expedite establishing it.

¶ 05 Religious teachers (Maulavis) have not received appointments for decades; please address this promptly.

¶ 06 In Hidayapuram, coastal erosion is destroying homes; please take immediate measures through relevant departments to prevent this.

¶ 07 Finally, in Maruthamunai of Ampara District, the CCD has moved to remove temporary small business structures along the coast. We are not seeking to contravene the law, but request that businesspeople be consulted and an agreed solution reached. Thank you.