A discussion on the progress of education in the Vavuniya North Zone was held yesterday, Friday (01.08.2025), at the Vavuniya North Zone Education Office. The meeting was chaired by the Honorable Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, and attended by Assistant Directors of Education, Faculty Advisors, and Principals.
The Vavuniya North Zonal Education Director presented basic data related to the zone. He highlighted that the main challenge faced by the zone is a significant staffing gap, particularly among teaching staff. Since his zone ranks among those with the highest staffing shortages in the Northern Province, he requested the Governor to allocate additional staff to address this issue.
He also emphasized that the percentage of teachers resigning from their positions is high, student attendance is irregular, and there is a substantial number of students without birth certificates. The Zonal Education Director informed the Governor that measures are being taken in collaboration with the Divisional Secretariat to address and regularize these concerns.
The Governor, who spoke afterward, stated that during the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Education held at the Northern Provincial Governor’s Office, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education highlighted the closure of several schools in the northern border villages of Vavuniya and the risk of further closures. Accordingly, he explained that this field trip was organized to gain a first-hand understanding of the situation in that area.
“It is necessary to improve education at any cost,” the Governor emphasized. He noted that the rise and fall of schools largely depends on the leadership of the principals. Acknowledging existing resource constraints, the Governor urged that efforts must be made to provide better services by effectively utilizing the available resources.
He further stressed that the best results are achieved when teachers and principals work not merely out of a sense of duty, but also with genuine passion. Regardless of who the teachers or principals are, it is impractical for them to commute from distant locations daily; therefore, the Governor stated that efficient and sustainable outcomes can only be realized if they reside and work within the community.
In addition, the Governor addressed allegations raised by a parent during today’s field trip. He inquired about a complaint he had received that a parent had demanded money from fellow parents to paint a school classroom. The school principal denied involvement in such an action. However, the Secretary to the Northern Provincial Ministry of Education stated, “School principals are responsible for these incidents that take place in the name of the school and action will have to be taken against the school principals.” He further added that students should not be charged for term exams starting from the next term, and that steps have been taken—under special permission from the Honorable Governor of the Northern Province—to provide term exam question papers free of charge to all students.
The Northern Provincial Additional Director of Education pointed out that if a teacher is not released despite instructions from the Zonal Director of Education during teacher transfers, action will be taken against the school principal. He noted that such action has already been taken in Jaffna, where a principal has yet to receive his pension due to non-compliance.
He further highlighted that many pre-schools in Vavuniya North are not managed by any organization, resulting in teachers receiving only the provincial council allowance, which is insufficient. Consequently, many teachers are resigning from these positions. The Assistant Director of Education responsible for pre-schools also raised concerns about the closure of numerous pre-schools. The Secretary of the Northern Ministry of Education expressed hope that a solution to this national issue would be found soon.
The meeting was attended by Honorable Members of Parliament M. Jagatheeswaran and S. Thilaganathan, the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education of the Northern Province, the Director of Education of the Northern Province, and the Director of Further Education.
