Questions & answers.
Everything schools, teachers, students and parents ask most about Ruhunu NextGen Tourism.
About the programme
What is Ruhunu NextGen Tourism?
A Ruhunu Tourist Bureau programme that establishes tourism clubs in schools across the Southern Province, runs public speaking, essay and art competitions, and supports a Student & Youth Innovation Challenge that turns the best ideas into real community projects.
Who can take part?
- School students in the Southern Province, through their school’s tourism club.
- Teachers, as club coordinators.
- For the Innovation Challenge: Advanced Level students of secondary schools and members of registered youth clubs in the Southern Province.
Schools & clubs
How does a school start a tourism club?
The principal appoints a teacher coordinator, students elect a committee (President, Secretary and section representatives), and the club agrees a simple constitution and an annual action plan. Then the teacher coordinator or principal registers the club on this website. See the guide “Starting a school tourism club”.
Can students register on this website?
No. Students join through their school’s tourism club and their teacher coordinator. To protect young people’s privacy, this website does not collect students’ personal details.
My school is not in the directory, or is listed incorrectly.
Register your school’s club using the online form and we will add or update it. You can also send a correction through the contact form.
What do the statuses in the directory mean?
- In the programme network: a teacher coordinator at the school has been connected with the programme.
- Tourism club registered: the school has registered its tourism club with the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau.
- Active tourism club: the club is running activities and taking part in the programme.
Competitions
How do the competitions work?
Public speaking and essay competitions have Secondary and Tertiary categories; the art competition has Primary, Secondary and Tertiary categories. Entries are judged in each district — Galle, Matara and Hambantota — with first, second and third places in every category.
Where do I find dates and entry rules?
Official notices with dates, rules and entry arrangements are shared with teacher coordinators through school tourism clubs, and announced on this website and the programme’s Facebook page. If anything differs, the latest official notice applies.
How are Innovation Challenge proposals submitted?
Proposals from school students are forwarded to the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau through their school’s tourism club; proposals from youth club members go through their youth club. The call for proposals and its format will be published when the challenge opens.
How will results be announced?
Approved results are published on the Awards page and the programme’s Facebook page. Students’ names are published only with consent; otherwise we show the school.
Privacy & safety
How do you protect personal information?
We collect only what we need — the details teachers give when registering a club, and the details you give when you contact us. Only authorised programme staff can see them. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies, and we never sell personal data. Read the Privacy Notice for details.
Will photos of students be published?
Only with the school’s approval and the written consent of a parent or guardian. Consent can be withdrawn at any time and we will remove the image. See the Child Safeguarding & Media Consent page.
How do I access, correct or delete my information?
Use the contact form and choose “Privacy / data request”, or email [email protected]. We respond within the time the law requires.
Still have a question?
Our programme team is happy to help.