The Department of Government Information started the implementation of the National School Media Club Promotion Program since 2019 in collaboration with the School Curriculum Division of the Ministry of Education and the Media Subject Development Project Division of the National Institute of Education by an Advisory Committee consisting of Senior Academics and Professors of the University Mass Communication Studies Divisions.
On par with the above, the Director-General of Government Information requested the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jaffna to get the assistance of the Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna to implement the National Media Club Promotion Program in the Northern Province.
Accordingly, the ‘Special Seminar on Improving Communication and Media Literacy in Northern Province Schools’ was conducted virtually on 22nd September, 2021 for four hours. Mr. Mohan Samaranayake, Director General of the Government Information Department ceremonially opened the session by his keynote address. The event was coordinated by Mr. Harsha B. Abeykoon, Assistant Director of Information, Department of Government Information.
Dr. S. Raguram, Head, Department of Media Studies spoke on the title of ‘The Needs and the Strategies of Strengthening School Media Clubs’ and Ms. Sivapriya Sriram, Senior Lecturer, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University and Ms. Poongulaly Srisankeerththan, Lecturer, Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna delivered the lectures on ‘Reporting, Writing and Editing’ and ‘Media Ethics and Social Responsibility’ respectively.
Retired Professor Kamal Waleboda, Department of Mass Communication, University of Colombo and Dr. Bandula P. Bandaranaike, Former Head, Media Education Project, National Institute of Educationwere also graced the occasion by their participation.
More than 350 participants including the teachers who are involved in teaching ‘Communication and Media Studies’ in schools and the students benefitted from this special seminar.
The project will be continued by conducting seminars, providing identity cards to the teachers in-charge of school media clubs and distributing facilities such as boards for wallpapers and assistance to organize exhibitions.
