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"In spite of economic difficulties the Government is spending a lot
on Educational Development", the Minister of Education Susil Premjayanth
said at the State National function in connection with the International
Teacher's Day.
The Government allocates 2.5 per cent out of the national budget for
education and will try to enhance same for 3 per cent in the next budget
while the target is to raise it to 5% in the future. However we need to
see whether all the resources pumped into provide quality education is
being properly utilised.
However issuing free school uniforms material to everyone in a
standardised manner is a waste of resources. The procedure of issuing of
uniforms should be re-structured in a manner that helps the children
living under difficult circumstances.
We suggest that at least two sets of uniforms be issued to these
children. However till such time, necessary changes are made in the
State policies, the Civil society should be motivated to evolve a system
by which the children of affordable families be encouraged to share
their set of uniforms with the less privileged children.
The mechanisms formulated with the help of the school community in
the individual schools with direct and active participation of children
should be tried out for this purpose, and the success of same could
thereafter be used in formulating the State policy in this matter.
Although this appears to be childish talk, this is one of the
resolutions passed by the children in many of the children's conferences
held in the upcountry area in connection with the Universal Children's
Day where both Tamil and Sinhala children participated.
Although children from the predominantly Sinhala speaking areas and
children from the plantation areas participated together, language was
never a barrier.
They showed a marvellous example of understanding, solidarity and
brotherhood giving a fine example to the elders and politicians for the
need to think afresh in the matter of ethnic issue of the country which
is polarised with the ethnic conflicts.
Children presented many views on the issues affecting them. Among
them, one of the novel suggestions eloquently presented with genuine
grievances caught the attention of everybody. Even in presenting the
issues, they were careful in bringing the issues of children of all
ethnic groups alike.
We appreciate and value the progressive policies of our Government to
ensure 'education for all children' and other matters relating to
children. But unfortunately the polices are not implemented in such a
manner that would benefit the children, especially those living under
difficult circumstances.
This is because the views of the children are not sought and or not
been taken into consideration when policies concerning children are
formulated. Take for instance, the issue of free uniforms. This is a
very good system, intentionally introduced to help the less privileged
children. The distribution of uniforms is done in a standardised manner.
All the children are given the uniforms whether they can afford or
not. We have seen children who could afford them play with the cloth
parcel kicking them here and there, because it is not of any value to
them.
Some make handkerchiefs, pillow cases and others do not use them at
all. While on the other hand, in areas where rainy weather prevails most
of the time especially in the upcountry plantation areas the children
living under the difficult circumstances had to dry their uniforms every
day by ironing them over and over again and wear them to school while
the uniform is still wet.
Due to this manner of usage, the uniforms get spoiled soon and get
discoloured. Likewise in dry areas like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and
other places due to dust, sweat and difficulties in transportation, the
uniforms need to be washed almost every day, causing the same
difficulties the children in the rainy areas face.
Wearing wet uniforms makes children sick, and there are occasions
when children skip school due to lack of an extra uniform.
Our Government has introduced the policy of issue of free uniforms to
assure education to every children especially those who live under
difficult circumstances. But one must see whether the policy really
helps the most needy ones.
This is why we are advocating for a change. We urge that the most
needy children be given two sets of uniforms. But then we know that
changing Government policy is not easy.
We do not want the Government to go back to a system of getting the
Grama sevaka's certificate in this matter which causes more loss and
difficulties to our parents.
The policy in this matter should be amended in a way that helps the
unfortunate children with due consideration given to the views of the
children. However till such time necessary changes are made in the State
policies, the civil society should be motivated to evolve a system by
which the children of affluent be encouraged to share their set of
uniforms with the less privileged ones.
The mechanisms formulated with the help of the school community in
the individual schools with direct and active participation of children
should be tried out for this purpose and the success of same could
thereafter be used in formulating the State Policy.
We are sure that if this message is shared with our colleagues who
could afford to buy their own uniforms, they would definitely come
forward to think of a system to identify the children in need and share
their uniforms with them.
Big schools can adopt a school in which underprivileged children
attend and share the uniforms with them. Spread this message to all
children and allow them to work out the mechanism in consultation with
the school authorities and elders to prevent corruption and misuse in
implementing this system and they can come out with a workable solution.
We propose that in all circumstances in which decisions with regard
to children are taken a mechanism be worked out to ensure the
consideration of the views of the children in such matters.
Many do not believe that children are capable of looking at things
with a different but in a creative manner. Whether it is education,
health or even the ethnic issue, time has come to listen to the views of
the children. After all, the future belongs to the children, we as
elders should not arbitrarily decide on our own about matters that
affect the children.
P. AMARASELVAM,
Plantation Rural Education Development Organisation
May I refer to Tilak Fernando's letter on Sri Lanka Railway (DN Sept.
28) where he states "Why doesn't the GMR just walk a few hundred metres
along the rail line towards the Regal Theatre and may be beyond..." and
also "authorities responsible rarely if not, never travel by train but
in the luxury of air conditioned cars".
In the wake of these allegations may I pen the profile of the Railway
GM, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan. He is a son of a Sinhalese School Master
(whom we called 'Maha Kalu Sinhalaya') who later became the Head Master
in a school at Panadura.
The little Gunaruwan Fernando attended Sri Sumangala College,
Panadura from his home at Nalluruwa on the pillion of his father's push
bicycle. He later entered Colombo University from where he passed out
BSc with Honours.
Thereafter he worked at Eastern University, Vantharammoolai and then
at Sampath Bank. He obtained his Doctorate from AIT, Thailand (if my
memory serves correct).
Gunaruwan is a son of the soil, the love for the country and its
people runs in his veins. He was one of the persons who was instrumental
in organising centenary celebrations of 'Panadura Waadaya' few years
back. He has dropped the Fernando part in his name, so he is now Dr
Lalithasiri Gunaruwan.
He still travels by the push bicycle when he comes to Panadura
bazaar. He was travelling by train from Panadura to his office in
Colombo and he was a humble train traveller when he became the Railway
GM.
But he is no match to B.D. Rampala, the Sri Lanka Railway God Father
who reigned railway in a different era. Dr Gunaruwan has taken over the
railway, now a festering wound and a dying institution and is trying his
best to resurrect it.
Everyone should support him and rally round him, all employees,
passengers and the unions. He cannot do it overnight. Those employees
who idle, waste railway resources, oppose reforms must leave.
Suggestions and criticisms are most welcome, because it is our railway.
My heart goes out to the rural poor who patronise the railway.
On their behalf we all must try to make the railway an institution
which is efficient and runs trains on time. Then more people will
patronise it and it will earn a profit. Begin with the office trains,
let those be never late. The marketing motto should be 'Sri Lanka
Railway, we are sharp on time'. Next step would be clean trains and
beautiful stations.
Reduce the costs of outstation running by utilising cost efficient
small rail-buses. Emphasis must be laid on goods transportation and also
few premium fare comfortable long distance express trains with
observation compartments should be introduced to Badulla to attract
holiday crowds.
All these are easy to tell. I believe people will not grumble a
marginal rise in fares if trains are not late. Considering that people
do not mind paying for three wheelers without any grouse, why not for
train travel. May the 'Yakada Yaka' prosper.
JAYANTHA SAMARASINGHE,
Ethul Kotte
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