Students should excel morally - PM

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Knowledge and wisdom are two aspects. Education provides students with the knowledge to enter university, but, it does not provide them with the ability to excel morally.

‘It provides them with knowledge within a certain frame. Students do not possess deep understanding on what they learn. We should inculcate moral and spiritual values in them, said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

Speaking at an event in which the Sirith Maldama poetry collection was launched in DVD format, yesterday, Prime Minister Jayaratne said that even the wise sectors of society do not talk about social reform due to various reasons.

“Sirith Maldama is an attempt to install these values in children from an early age. This is part of the programme initiated to develop positive attitudes in the public which go hand in hand with economic development project,” he said.

Sirith Maldama comprises poems penned by M A Silva, a school Principal, in 1895. It highlights values which need to be practised to bring excellence to humanity. The Sirith Maldama DVD was officially handed over to Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

It will then be distributed among 8,500 schools in the country.

The Prime Minister’s office has also initiated several programmes to develop positive social attitudes. They have produced a special tele series which will be telecast in future.

Several discussions and seminars will be held for schoolchildren. Awareness programmes will also be held for government employees.