The Sri Lankan Army's interference in schools in Vanni has increased said the Ceylon Teachers' Union to the Education Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, reported the Uthayan.
Demanding that action be taken to stop this, the CTU's General Secretary, Joseph Stalin, said that since the re-opening of schools in Vanni, the army's interference is directly disrupting the students' education.
Drawing attention to incidents such as the Sri Lankan military hosting events in the school grounds whilst lessons are happening, Stalin said this must be stopped, and students must be able to learn without any interference.
Last month the NPC Education Minister, Kurukularaja condemned the army's involvement in schools.
"There is no reason whatsoever for the Sri Lankan army to enter schools in the North. If they wish to help they should via the Education Department. Instead, most of the military go directly into the schools and offer help. Not only does this affect the natural state, but it affects the mental state of the students when the army enter the schools."
The CTU has repeatedly raised concerns over the deteriorating climate of education for Tamil children in the North-East since the end of the armed conflict. Last October the union condemned the unexplained withdrawal of allowances granted to teaching assistants in the North-East following the Northern Provincial Council election, whilst the year before, the union protested against the building of an army base over a teaching centre.
See related articles on the Sri Lankan military's encroachment on everyday school life of Tamil children in the North-East:
Dutch NGO sponsors SL Army to build school in Mullivaikal (15 Dec 2013)
Army handouts for Tamil children (14 Dec 2013)
MoD provides scholarships for children of SL military (09 Dec 2013)
Army welcomes Tamil children to new pre-school (09 Aug 2013)
Milking militarisation (28 Jul 2013)
SL Army checks up on children's teeth in Point Pedro (10 Jun 2013)
Army coordinates dental clinic for school children (06 May 2013)
Military makes up for 'lack of teachers' in Kilinochchi (05 Jan 2013)
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