A successful two-day workshop on improving the quality of Education in the Plantation Schools in the Passara Zone’ was held on 12th and 13th July 2010 by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL at the Pelgahatenna Management Training Centre.
The training was based on the findings of a survey done in schools in the plantation sector by TISL Research Unit using Passara as a model. The survey conducted in 21 Tamil schools revealed many shortcomings such as school infra structure facilities, teachers/principal professionalism and attitudes and school finance.
35 principals from 39 Tamil schools in the Passara Education Zone, took part in the workshop on the first day while on the second day, 39 school teachers participated in the said program.
The participants were given training on the Code of Conduct, the Circulars issued by the Ministry of Education, Participation and Responsibilities in the School Development Plan and on Professionalism and Attitudes and the forms, causes and effects of corruption.
Selvendran – Lecturer, Teachers Training College, Kotagala, G.K.Rajendran – Principal, Saraswathy Tamil MV, Pussellawa, F.X.S. Wijayakumar – Lecturer, Law Faculty, Colombo University and T.Kalaimagal – Director, Capacity Building Unit, TISL were the resource persons at the workshop which was organized by TISL’s Advocacy and Capacity Building Units.
“The workshop has enhanced our skills in understanding the importance of practicing professionalism in teaching, managing school activities and dealing with governance related issues. Furthermore, we learned more on managing resources and anti-corruption initiatives through the workshop” a principal commented.
The Teachers said that though they had participated in several workshops earlier, this was the first time that they underwent training entirely in Tamil. “It helped us to learn the subject matter quite well,” they said.
The workshop was funded by the World Bank and was well supported by the Zonal Education Office, Passara. Zonal Education Director W.M.Piyasena also took part in the workshop. Mr. S.S. Manoharan, Assistant Director of Education, coordinated the workshop.