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| Monday, 18 October 2004 |
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by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South Group Corr. It is the ambition of every parent to send his or her child to the University and to achieve this they will have to pass the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination and clear the next hurdle of G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination. But only 1.8 per cent of the entire student population is admitted to the University and the balance 98 per cent will have to find alternative ways to continue their education or find employment in keeping with their educational qualifications, said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. He made these observations when he addressed the 125th Anniversary Prize Giving of Girls High School, Kandy held at the Constance Mallet Hall of the School yesterday (Sunday) morning. The Prime Minister said since only around two per cent could enter the University, they had to do something for the balance students. When he was Minister in charge of Vocational Training he introduced vocational schools where children could select a vocation of their choice and concentrate on it with an eye on their future. Action is being taken to re-introduce the vocational training centres so that those who cannot gain entrance to the universities could get themselves trained in a vocation. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said that apart from the varsities there are other courses such as Management, Business Administration. Law and other professional courses available for one to be professionally qualified and be ready for the employment market. Schools should have career guidance course which will help the schoolchildren to select a career of their choice. This guidance is not available in schools at present and they must be introduced. He added that even though he was indisposed and was recuperating, he was happy that he has been invited as the Chief Guest on an important milestone of this prestigious school. Despite his sickness he did not want to let down the organisers and the guests, hence he had graced the occasion. Prime Minister Rajapakse said that thi\s school which had started as a Missionary Institution in 1879 with a small population has graduated into a fully fledged institution catering to schoolchildren from all races and religions. This is something which is in tune with the present situation in the country where we are trying to build a peace bridge. He had been educated at Richmond College and Nalanda Vidyalaya but it was at his last school Thurstan College where he found children from all races and religions attending. It is great to have the feeling of togetherness in a cosmopolitan school. He said that they grew in a good environment and our children should also do likewise and they should enter the society as responsible individuals. He said that he is the father of three children of varying ages and he has given them the freedom of their choice of the extra curricular activities. They are doing sports and it is their inalienable right to select what is good for them. Therefore please do not force anything against the wishes of the children. At the same time the parents should identify the abilities of their children and guide them along the right path. Children may win accolades in their chosen field of sports but nothing is more satisfying than the appreciation displayed by their parents. The Principal of the School Mrs. Sunanda Perera read the School's Annual Report and during the course of which traced the history of the School from its beginnings to present day place it holds in the field of local education. |
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