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| Wednesday, 15 October 2003 |
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by Chloe Griffiths With increasing reports of violent incidences occurring in Sri Lankan schools, indiscipline is becoming a major concern for not only many parents but also the government. But now a new pilot project is being launched in an attempt to prevent abuse towards and between children and regain greater control in schools. The Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), provoked by the disturbing rise of misconduct and violence within schools is planning the implementation of a new scheme which they hope will help to improve discipline and curb violent behaviour. 37 secondary schools in the Colombo province will be targetted in the project's initial pilot period but, if successful, it could be implemented islandwide. According to Education Officer for SLFI, Hemali Karunaratne competitiveness amongst students is increasingly becoming a problem in schools. Intense rivalry is placing children under too much stress and this situation is worsened by pressure from parents and strict university admission in-takes. The difficulties are most apparent in larger schools, some of which are now catering for up to 7,000 students. In such schools, administration is becoming impossible, teaching standards are dropping due to large classroom sizes and this is even leading to the breakdown of discipline. Karunaratne said: "Mostly education has been led by competition which creates resentment and negative implications. Education should be about making a better human being, but it has become too materialistic, the human personality has become neglected." "With over 40 students in some classrooms the teachers are loosing their rapport with the children and indiscipline is rising." The project, although still in its infancy, has received positive feedback from principals and students within the Colombo province. With their input the project's Executive Board will meet on October 18 to begin devising strategy and establishing methods for its practical application. The executive committee includes Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority Prof. Harendra De Silva and advisor to the President Dr. Tara De Mel. SLFI, which works to promote understanding, belief in democracy and the protection of human rights through education and the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge, was originally established and funded by the German foundation Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in 1973. However, in 1999 it became part of the Presidential Secretariat and is now a fully Sri Lankan state organisation. Indeed it was President Chandrika Kumaratunga's influence that originally inspired this project to emerge. According to Karunaratne it was the President's concern for children which led to the initial suggestion of a project working to bring about attitudinal changes within schools through the performing arts. Although this initial suggestion was postponed, the project was resuscitated two months ago and has been expanded to encompass a wider range of school based methods to prevent and reduce violence amongst students, by teachers and between schools. |
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