Education upgraded despite war

Nimal WIJESINGHE Anuradhapura Additional District group corr.

The war against LTTE terrorism did not detract the Government from taking steps to upgrade the level of Education and literacy rate in the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said addressing a gathering of teachers and education officials at President's House in Anuradhapura on Wednesday.

"We have a broad vision for creating a brighter and a safe future for the generations to come. Amidst even the war against LTTE terrorism, the Government most dedicatedly worked to upgrade the level of education and literacy in the country," he said.

"We have declared this year the year of English Langauge and Information Technology education, to meet this important national issue," he said.

"We are not satisfied by just providing physical resources such as buildings, playgrounds etc. our only aim is a qualitative education and to mould our children into world class citizens," President Rajapaksa said. The President said on the request of North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake and the political authority, the Government on his instructions took remedial steps to end the dearth of teachers in the North Central Province by providing nearly 4,500 graduate and other teachers.

There could be several shortcomings and problems confronting qualified teachers such as salary anomalies and inadequate facilities. All such shortcomings and defects would be looked into and solved, he emphasised.

"Apart from the clergy and parents, the only category to be worshipped by society are the teachers. This profession is noble, important and respectable. As such it is the sole responsibility, duty and the obligation of the teacher community to endow the country with a skilful, intelligent, wise and versatile student community to take up the leadership of our country," President Rajapaksa said.

Referring to the past, the President said 30 years of war against the LTTE devastated the country and its resources.

The officials took cover behind the LTTE menace, to postpone, suspend or drag on with the development programs. And this attitude of pessimism, paralysed the normal lifestyle of our countrymen. Making this situation worse, the previous UNP regime endeavoured to reduce the State Service to six lakhs and stopped recruitment to the Government service.

They planned to sell public property on unworthy and low bids. They even schemed to privatise the country's free education," he said.

Ministers G. L. Peiris Rajitha Senaratne, Johnston Fernando and North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake also spoke.