OfERR regards education as the most important among the services rendered to the refugees, because nearly a third of Sri Lankan refugees in India are students. From nursery to college, there are over 20,000 students in the refugee community. OfERR sees education as fundamental in its efforts to rehabilitate and empower the Ceylon Tamil refugee population. The opportunities and facilities provided to refugee students in Tamil Nadu are unique and depend on the continuous advocacy work done by OfERR. We maintain that an educated community will be better prepared to rebuild a peaceful and prosperous society upon returning to Sri Lanka.

OfERR conducts various programmes which support education, especially of young people.

1. Nursery Education and Care
87 nursery schools operate in refugee camps across Tamil Nadu., catering for more than 3,000 youngsters. 108 trained teachers are working for OfERR to ensure a strong foundation for the children’s future education. The schools also function as day-care centres, allowing parents to seek work outside the camps. Assistants care for the children and provide them with daily nutritional supplements.  

Nursery teachers meet every three months to discuss relevant issues. Teachers also meet with parents on a monthly basis to discuss the progress and well-being of the children. A record of each child, with a photograph and key information, is maintained by teachers. OfERR volunteers visit the camps every month to assess the needs of each school and collect monthly reports from the teachers. In addition, OfERR provides toys, games, slates and tables for the enjoyment and educational benefit of the children.

2. School Education

Refugee students attend government schools close to their camps. In three of the largest camps, OfERR volunteers, along with members of the Jesuit Refugee Service and government teachers, provide education for younger students. Most students and parents are highly committed to the pursuit of education, and OfERR supports them in various ways, including annual provision of notebooks to every refugee student. Financial assistance is given to 10th and 12th standard students for purchasing textbooks, school fees and examination fees, thus reducing the burden on parents and encouraging the continuance of education. OfERR also works with the Tamil Nadu government to secure uniforms and other vital materials for the students.

OfERR monitors the progress of all its students, collecting data annually in each region. We also offer constant encouragement. Important government exams take place in the 10th and 12th standards, and OfERR pays for extra tuition to help students prepare. Rs.300 is directed to each 10th standard student for this purpose, and each 12th standard student receives Rs.500. We provide counselling for dropout students and work towards their re-admission to school. Summer education programmes are held in the April and May school holidays. The level of support received by the refugee students, and their motivation to succeed, is reflected in the high marks achieved in government exams.

OfERR also works hard to ensure that newly arrived refugees whose studies in Sri Lanka have been interrupted are able to take the exams they have been working towards. In December 2006, we were able for the first time to conduct the Ceylon GCE (O/L) examination on Indian soil, with 96 students participating. This was repeated in December 2007 when a further 50 students took the exam. We conducted special classes for these students at the Mandapam camp for new arrivals. The Sri Lankan Embassy and the Government of Tamil Nadu worked together with us for the success of this programme. 

3. Coaching Classes

Coaching classes are conducted in every camp to assist and motivate school students. This valuable service is provided by trained OfERR teachers and refugee college students, who receive a small allowance for their work. In morning classes the students prepare for their lessons at school, and this is followed by evening classes where students reflect on these lessons and are helped to address the doubts and concerns that arise.
These coaching centres conduct special classes during exam periods, especially the important 10th standard exams. Students who attend coaching classes consistently achieve better results in school examinations.

4. Higher Education
OfERR is committed to helping refugee students achieve higher education. Soon after completion of the 12th standard, students are motivated to attend a regional meeting organised by OfERR’s education committee, where advice and counselling is given on how to select a suitable course and college.  
After admissions to colleges the students are requested to attend an interview conducted by the education committee to find out the financial background and situation of their families. Most refugee families do not have the resources to meet higher education expenses. OfERR assesses the level of assistance they require, and provides it with priority given to the most disadvantaged students.

As refugees, our students don’t enjoy the same rights to education as Indian citizens of the same age. In past years refugee students have faced major difficulties in reaching higher education. In the absence of a state government order to allow their admission to government colleges, refugee students have been forced to seek further education in private colleges, where fees are often excessive and unmanagable. Following advocacy work by OfERR, an annual quota of 400 places has been established for refugees in government colleges.

Our students follow a variety of college programmes, including Medical, Engineering, Agriculture, Law, Veterinary, Polytechnic and Arts and Science courses. The total amount required each year for assisting higher education students with college fees, travelling expenses and book fees is around Rs.40 lakhs (Rs.4 million). A major part of this assistance is granted by ESP (Ecumenical Scholarship Programme), a German NGO, while Sri Lankan expatriates and other well-wishers also make crucial contributions. However, the number of students wishing to enter higher education exceeds the funds available to OfERR, and we continue to appeal for support in this area.

OfERR keeps a detailed file on all its college students, and makes monthly contact with parents to keep them informed of their children’s progress. Over 2,500 refugee students have completed their college education since the inception of OfERR programmes. Many have found employment in private companies, while others have joined with OfERR to share their expertise and experience with the refugee community. Witness to OfERR’s success in this area is the fact that in 1996 there were just 46 refugee students in higher education, while in 2008 the figure is 1,016.

5. Computer Education
Computer education is given to 10 refugee students by ICSA (Inter Church Service Association) on the selected course COPA (Computer Operating and Programme Assistant). The one-year course is primarily provided for disabled students, but has been extended to accommodate a group of Ceylon refugees each year. ICSA pays the course fees while OfERR provides food and lodging to the students during their stay in Chennai. The fifth group of refugee students is currently following this course. The previous four groups performed well in their examinations and successfully completed their education, gaining the National Certificate for Vocational Training, a valuable qualification issued by the central government. Most have subsequently found private sector employment in Tamil Nadu.

6. Student Forums
Student forums exist in every camp. Each forum has a committee consisting of president, treasurer and secretary, and elections to these positions are held annually. At weekly meetings the forum gives school students the opportunity to display their talents and develop new qualities. Sports events, cultural programmes, drama and dance are among the many activities organised by these groups. Achievements are recognised with prizes and celebrations. Student forums also perform social work such as cleaning the camps, repairing facilities and running blood donation campaigns. The groups work hard to maintain a pleasant environment for the community.
The young people involved in the student forums achieve a sense of unity and worth. The opportunity to perform for their peers and display their abilities builds confidence, and the need to co-operate and organise activities develops responsibility and maturity.

7. College Student Forums
These forums exist at district level. Every refugee college student in the district becomes a member of the forum, and the members elect a central committee. Every month the college students meet to discuss their education and organise social work within the camps.
The college students are asked to share the benefits of their education, and they do so at camp level by participating in various programmes. For example, many college students assist in coaching classes for school students, while others, especially medical students, provide health care and conduct health awareness meetings. They offer guidance to the school student forums and support their activities.  

8. Graduate Services

Sri Lankan refugees are not entitled to work in the public sector in India. Refugees based in the camps seek whatever work they can find locally, usually low-paid labour work in construction and agriculture. The refugees who attain a high level of education have greater opportunites, and many of those who have graduated from Indian colleges have found work in the private sector, establishing a foundation for their futures.
However, many other graduates decide to commit their skills to the community that has supported them. OfERR and other NGOs have benefited from these talented and committed individuals. There are currently 50 refugee college graduates working for OfERR across Tamil Nadu, offering a variety of skills and engaging in both office and field work to aid the refugee community. They do not receive a salary, and accept only a small allowance in return for their work.

9. Media
Local Tamil newspapers and one English newspaper are supplied on a daily basis to every camp. Women’s magazines are also supplied. Refugees’ own creative efforts – poems, stories and articles – are published in a monthly Tamil paper and distributed in the camps. This paper provides a forum for Ceylon refugees to express their views and display their literary talents. In addition, latest news pertinent to the refugee community is included.