Monday, 15 September 2003  
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Replace unqualified School Heads

The Education Ministry has discovered the spine chilling details of a large number of quacks manning some educational institutions in the island. I just read the startling news in the print media that some 3000 odd are engaged in the blasphemes act.

This information has emanated from the All Ceylon Principals' Union and should therefore be treated as authentic. The horrifying news cannot possibly be dismissed as trivial.

A particular public service should have an approved scheme of recruitment as well as for promotion as applicable, may even be the Public Service Commission. Recognition of merit insulated from any form of outside interference and a fixed age of retirement are also attendant requisites. Contractual appointments may be permitted when suitable replacements are hard to find. Under whatever circumstances, politicization affecting educational institutions is a disturbing trend and its adverse impact would be disastrous in the long run.

How can a less qualified person with a scant knowledge of administrative and establishment procedure monitor the activities of his assistants? Will the subordinate staff care for him and listen to him? Authorities in the first instance should never have created this unwarranted situation. Such politicization process accounts considerably for the collapse of discipline among such schools.

In fact the public is distressingly aware of the legendary lethargy of the teaching tribe. Very many of them are tuition barons whose cult is the worship of currency notes and they indulge in giving tuition brazenly and openly without the slightest shame or fear.

The ubiquitous private tutories are only notorious money spinners. If proper coaching is done in schools there is no necessity for tuition. Obviously something has gone wrong somewhere. The question that begs the answer is who is responsible for this sordid and despicable state of affairs.

In the distant past teachers were a committed and a dedicated lot. They never resorted to tuition with mercenary motives. If at all the syllabus could not be covered within the school secession children were got down during Saturdays or school holidays and taught in the school premises itself without charging a fee. Ultimately they earned the respect and veneration of one and all.

Nowadays younger generation displays a tremendous thirst to study quite different from their counterparts of the placid days of yore. May be that competition is far greater now. No one can blame them either, but what is the remedy?

The authorities must please ensure that only those who are well-qualified, suitable and with unimpeachable credentials are given the responsibility of heading all educational institutions in the island.

NANDA NANAYAKKARA, Matara

Advisary committees

It is certainly an excellent proposal to have professionals with an excellent track record to advice the Government in various areas of speciality.

But in making the selections the authorities must learn to appoint persons who are upright and can be effective and not look for 'Stooges' in such cases.

It is best that the Government seeks assistance of the professional institutions in the country who are best qualified to advice with a sense of responsibility and knowledge and required expertise.

From what I can see selections of some persons appear to be 'Square pegs in round holes' even though some are academically qualified in their own field.

Persons who are qualified and have gained experience in their own field should be utilised as advisers in their respective fields of expertise. It is then that their knowledge and expertise could be put into practice with a view to streamline and guide the respective institutions to achieve efficiency.

Let's hope that ministries which are still in the process of appointing such advisers will adhere to these guidelines.

For e.g. - The Ministry of Internal Affairs should strive to appoint persons who are professionally qualified in Industrial and Private Security to the advisory Committee of Civil Security. These selections could be made from the Industrial Security Foundation of Sri Lanka (Incorporated by Act, No. 51 of 1999) who have made a great contribution towards industrial security, from its inception in 1992.

NIHAL De ALWIS, Nugegoda

Teaching history

In the newspapers we read of murders committed in the most in-human way, for revenge or for money, rapes of innocent girls and women, child prostitution, paedophiles from the "cultured" countries, thefts, illegal brewing of kasippu and frauds of gigantic proportions, some of which are connected to past and present political leaders.

The society has reached this deplorable stage, because we lost the values inherited from our forefathers, to the values nurtured by our colonial masters.

The present day generation is unaware of the glorious past of our country, which had one of the greatest civilisations dating back to nearly 20 centuries. What "Lanka Deepa" achieved in agriculture, water and irrigation engineering, religion and its practice, art and culture has only a few comparisons in the world scene. "Mahavamsa" records the achievements of our kings, where religion, discipline and justice were taken as the hallmarks of good governance.

We had close connections with countries like China, Siam, Burma who were our trading partners. The royalty of these countries visited us in peace and our royals reciprocated. This country was then virtually free of vice, because the society as a whole was interlinked and woven with the religion. The people were disciplined not to murder, or rob someone on the road or rape an innocent young girl.

One well-known example was the directive of King "Dutugemunu", not to beat drums or make noise, while passing the tomb of King "Elara" who was himself a great "Dharmista" King, killed during a battle with the former. It is said that a single girl can walk from "Magama" to "Yapa Patuna" (i.e. Jaffna) without being harassed by anyone, during those days.

So this is the good part of History, which is the greater part of it. All this is not known to the present generation, because they were unaware of history, which subject was taken out of school curriculum two decades back with the influence of self-centred politicians who wanted to stay in power by hook or by crook.

I fully agree that young should be encouraged to look at the future and not to live in the past. This cannot be done by taking History out of the curriculum. Without knowing the History, community and its people looses identity. History projects the dignity of a nation. There is no future without knowing the past. Mr. Bartholomeusz says that feudal, caste systems and repression of peasants are part of our History, and therefore he discourages the introduction of History to our schools. Take the case of England, Wales and Scotland (UK) where feudal system and repression of peasants were very much in common in the society and recorded in British History running back to several centuries.

In fact there were many decisions given by some judges at that time, in favour of the Land Lords against the peasants, which are documented in British Law Books. Some of these decisions are still quoted in cases as precedence.

Then, if we follow the argument of Mr. Bartholomeusz, UK schools should have taken the subject of history out from their educational curriculum because the children would be taught bad things that happened in the past. On the contrary, schools and some universities in England, Wales and Scotland, educational curricula has the British History as s subject. In fact an undergraduate can pass out from some of the universities with an honours degree in history. The difference is that the English, Welsh and Scottish peoples are proud of their History. They do not belong to half-baked nations.

T. P. Ranaweera, Colombo 5.

Free cigarettes

I happened to visit a nightclub in Colombo recently. Around 1.30 a.m. I saw very beautiful four young Swedish girls attired in glamorous dresses offering free cigarettes to everybody who was in that nightclub. According to them they had been hired by the tobacco industry for this particular assignment by visiting almost all the nightclubs in Sri Lanka to attract youths, especially the girls.

They were offering cigarettes and when I spoke to them is Swedish they said they had been doing this in other countries as well to promote smoking among girls.

Being a Swedish girl I feel sorry about the situation prevailing among Sri Lankan girls for two reasons. I know how this kind of promotions affected the youth in our country and on the other hand according to my knowledge Sri Lankan women are said to have been well brought up with discipline and good moral values. Smoking of course would disrupt or rather scandal the level of such dignity and calibre which is already present in Sri Lankan womanhood.

It is pertinent that the parents of these youth to be more alert of the movements of their children who really may be unaware of these happenings. If not their children may go astray having been caught to tobacco industry promotions.

IRENE GUSTAFFSON, Colombo 3.

Sea erosion - fallacious?

"The World Through English" is the best if not the perfect textbooks series for teaching English in Sri Lanka ever published in Sri Lanka.

As a practising teacher of English, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the writers of the said series not in uncertain terms because of its relevance to our country and very germane activities arrayed to target at the ultimate objective of improving the standard of English education in Sri Lanka.

The vast wealth of experience of the writers is reflected throughout and the teacher is offered the daunting task of putting the stuff across the tender mind of the learner. In most of the activities, the teacher becomes the learner and the learners teach the teacher better than the latter! The other day it was within my earshot! To the vigilant teacher of English "The World Through English" is definitely a refresher course to be followed at home in relaxation.

Erroneous writing is rampant. In so far as hesitantly, I would like to focus the attention of the intelligentsia to the above topic to proceed with an educational intercourse for the benefit of both the learner in particular and the teacher in general.

In the second book of the series meant for Grade Seven the theme on environment starts with this particular word "Sea Erosion" Widely accepted authority on lexicography A.S. Hornby defines the word "erode" as follows: erode v (esp passive) (of acids, rain, wind, etc.) to destroy sth or to wear sth away gradually "Metals are eroded by acids" "The sea has eroded the cliff face over the years".

According to this definition and my understanding to use the word "sea erosion" the sea should be the threatened one. But unfortunately the coast, beach, and the land are eroded.

Learning is an intricate mental process. Teaching is a very responsible task that should be done with surgical accuracy.

May someone enlighten me on this etymological query and extricate me to step into my second home - the language classroom to see my ugly ducklings more confidently.

PIYADASA RILLAGODA, Baddegama.

Changing face of Matara

As a school-going kid we used to write essays on every topic that was assigned by our teachers. One such essay was "My Home Town Matara". This was a wonderful topic for me as I started off bringing out all the exotic beauty and wonderful memorials coming over centuries whose grandeur was imperishable. This particular essay when I sent it to the CDN it was published 50 years ago in the children's page. I was truly elated.

As I attended St. Mary's Convent, a school by the sea, the Polious Island was a fine spot for me to add colour to my essay. This scenic little island at the southern tip luminous and blue dancing and embracing the waters of the Indian ocean framed against granite, crags and evergreens was truly a memorable scene.

My heart bleeds today to see that this island is bulldozed flat to make way for something or the other. We can see now birds encircling round the empty sky. Perhaps crying out that their homes have been washed to the sea. Can anyone destroy a country like this? Is there anything left for the younger generation to write about my 'Home Town Matara'. St. Servatius and St. Thomas' boys swim across to this island to erect their school flags climbing the tallest tree competing each other, during their annual cricket encounter. The Indian ocean weeps now not having to see the flags fluttering way up high on the mountain.

The 'Star Dutch Fort' is changing face at an alarming speed by bringing down all the historic trees and buildings. Responsibility lies with the politicians.

Birds and the bees
Trees and mountains
Younger generation
Indian ocean
Freak politicians
I weep for you
For causing endless havoc!!

P.B.P., Matara

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