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The Zahira primary school in Hambantota district was reconstructed by UNICEF under its Schools Infrastructure Reconstruction Programme of rebuilding 35 schools destroyed by the 2004 tsunami.

It was handed over to the school authorities on Wednesday. Zahira School (primary and secondary) was one of the worst affected of the seven schools destroyed by the tsunami in the Hambantota district. 98 students, five teachers and the principal fell victims to that tragedy and the entire primary school section was destroyed.

Now the 500 students of the primary school have 12 new spacious classrooms, more play area, new sanitation facilities, staff quarters and a parapet wall around the school. Facilities have been designed to create a child friendly learning environment where interactive teaching and child participation help children fully develop their potential. This is the second project, completed under the UNICEF Schools Infrastructure Reconstruction Programme. Earlier this month, the new buildings of Siddartha primary school in Galle district were handed over.

According to UNICEF’s Representative in Sri Lanka, Jo Anna VanGerpen, the provision of a stable and secure environment for learning is of paramount importance so that children are able to move beyond the sad experience.

Reconstruction of Zahira primary school was financially supported by the people of Britain, the Hunter Foundation and footballer David Beckham through the UK National Committee for UNICEF, one of 37 committees from around the world that raise funds to support UNICEF’s work for children globally. The Committee donated more than US $ 1 million for the reconstruction.