Extra classes through Dhamma Schools

A major educational project, which senior educationists term as path-breaking and revolutionary, affording rural and urban schoolchildren an opportunity of following extra classes in their school subjects, through the Dhamma Schools network in temples will get under way from today in 100 Dhamma Schools.

Termed Dahamai - Denumai the program based on a concept Minister of Buddha Sasana, Public Security, Law and Order Minister and Deputy Minister of Defence Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, has the twin objectives of affording children free private classes in their school subjects as well as preventing children from keeping away from Dhamma schools on Sundays due to their having to attend private tuition classes.

Announcing the launch of the project at a press conference yesterday, Wickramanayaka said the new project has been launched in view of representations made by several heads of Dhamma schools that there is a tendency for students to skip attending Dhamma schools on Sundays due to private classes.

It is proposed to conduct these classes on Saturdays with the assistance of a team of senior and experienced educationists and teachers who have volunteered their services.

Many of these educationists are themselves well-known private tutors who have earned a name for themselves in conducting their own private tuition classes but have come forward to assist the project by sacrificing their time and energy.

The Minister said that they appreciated the gesture of these educationists who have felt that every encouragement and support should be given to the Dhamma schools so that the younger generation is guided on the correct path from an early age.

"Whatever the religion it is extremely essential that the children's interest in religious education is sustained for the well-being of the country," the Minister said.

Wickramanayaka stressed that the Government does not intend to prohibit private tuition through legislation or compulsion but would give every incentive for children to be more attracted towards the Dhamma schools by providing free extra classes in school subjects at the temples themselves".

For the start they would concentrate on providing extra classes in English, Maths and Science for students sitting for the GCE (O/L) Examination this year.

The project will commence in 100 Dhamma Schools in Nikaweratiya, Kobeigane and Ratnayaka Pura in Mawathagama and gradually expanded to other areas. They hope to conduct extra classes for students for the GCE (A/L) as well as Grade 5 exams.

The Minister said from 2006 they hope to launch a five-year plan under the project which will not only provide extra classes in more subjects but also provide job oriented education through Dhamma schools.