The organization presents two reports that investigate the gaps in the educational system and the cultural and identity problems of the most marginalized communities. Illiteracy and school dropout rates are much higher than in other rural areas of the country. Apostolic Nuncio Brian Udaigwe: “An integrative approach is necessary.”
Colombo () – Caritas Sri Lanka (Sedec) has these days presented two reports, the result of research aimed at transforming the life of the plantation community in Sri Lanka: “Right to education for plantation children: problems, Challenges and Future Directions” and “Culture and Identity of the Sri Lankan Plantation Community”. These studies are more than academic work: they are tools of defense, equity and social justice. «This research sheds light on the harsh realities that workers and children endure. The future of this community depends not only on policy changes, but also on actions driven by empathy,” said Bishop Brian Udaigwe, apostolic nuncio to Sri Lanka.
“The promises made by the government to provide quality education to all children must be fulfilled, keeping in mind that education is a fundamental right and not a privilege enjoyed by a few. Furthermore, issues such as the causes of poverty in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector and the need for equity and justice in education must be addressed,” he added. The presentation – which took place on October 3 – was also attended by the Bishop of Kurunegala, Monsignor Harold Anthony Perera, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL), and Monsignor Valence Mendis, Bishop of the Diocese of Kandy, together with Supreme Court Justice S.Thurairaja and WAL Wickramarachchi, Minister of Environment, Plantations, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply and Community Infrastructure.
The study states that Sri Lanka’s education system needs urgent reform to address the emerging problems of the plantation community. An important observation concerns the literacy rate of women. Research indicates that this indicator continues to lag behind that of the rural population that does not live on plantations. This difference is more pronounced for women, who are 16% behind their rural counterparts, while the difference among men is only 6%.
The investigation also revealed that this area has a high school dropout rate, with an average of 8.4% in fifth grade, compared to the national average of 1.4%, according to data from the Ministry of Education. In Nuwara Eliya district, the male transition rate from primary to secondary education is lower than in other districts, and many boys are forced to enter the workforce. Furthermore, children in plantation communities are less likely to complete primary and secondary education than their urban peers.
«These results – commented Nuncio Udaigwe – reveal how poverty and lack of facilities continue to hinder children’s access to education. In fact, there are persistent barriers to education that continue to affect not only individuals, but entire communities, for generations. “There is therefore a need for an inclusive and equitable approach to education that ensures that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality learning opportunities,” he said. Underscoring the need for a deeper “sense of empathy” when addressing challenges, “we must embrace empathy, to truly understand and share the experiences of these communities.”
The nuncio also emphasized that the government, the Church and other care providers must work together to create an educational landscape that is fair and accessible to all. The studies also recommend that the government implement inclusive development policies, advocacy programs for funding cultural preservation, legal recognition and protection, promotion of cultural and ecological tourism programs, cultural documentation and archiving, and inter-community dialogues and networks. .
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