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| Sunday, 17 November 2002 |
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Royalists to take pledge of loyalty Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will grace the occasion on Thursday the 21st of what could be called a Special Evening marking the first Pledge-taking Ceremony of Royal College at the Nawarangahala. But the premier will not be there as Chief Guest - he will be there as a loyal Old Royalist who has given his blessings and support to what Old Royalist Kamal Abeysinghe, whose brain-child the 'Rejuvenating of the spirit of Royal College' is, told the 'Sunday Observer'. Abeysinghe, who is Treasurer of the Royal College Union (RCU) said that this is a unique concept which unfolded gradually in his mind for the continuance of the great legacy of Royal. He also envisages the reviving of nostalgic memories which serve as strong enough motivation towards the Old Boys of the college can contribute to country and society by taking a Pledge of Loyalty to Royal to improve every aspect of life under its illustrious roof with emphasis on student welfare, staff recognition, funding of sports and infrastructure development. Abeysinghe said that an Oath has been authored similar to the Oath of the Young Men of Athens administered several centuries ago in Classical Greece. Those who support the project will take the pledge and make a regular financial commitment to the college. All contributors will receive a memento and 'Certificate of Merit.' Staff recognition will introduce motivational programmes, continuous professional development,group insurance and the recognition of exceptional contributions by staff members. Other programmes will include Continuous Professional Development for teachers, Management and Subject skills. There will also be Overseas Familiarizational/exchange programs and the drawing up of a set of evaluation criteria for special recognition programmes. There will be special focus on sports which is not at present supported by the RCU. The upgrading of a selected building every year and its maintenance as a model building will also be another facet of the Loyalty Pledge concept. Abeysinghe said that there are few Old Royalists who have not at one time or another reflected that they are what they are thanks to the solid foundation laid at Royal. The need to give back to their alma mater what it gave to them is the driving force behind the whole programme. The bottom line is: Give back to Royal as much as you can and as long as you can. Year 5 Scholarship winners who gain admittance to Royal are considered to be the cream of the student elite who will be the future leaders of the country. The envisaged Hostel building of which plans were drawn up a few years ago will be another strong focus of attention. The present building can only house a few hundred students and as it is in need of urgent improvement, it was decided to draw up plans for an entirely new building to take its place. Foster care for needy students is yet another aspect that needs attention. There will be a Careers Desk at the Royal College Union office. A proposed Higher education Career Guidance and Counselling Centre will include Medical Psychological Counselling, an Annual Career Fair and Annual Education Fair and Workshop Seminars. Student Centred Activities at Year 6 will be the establishment of a Profile Database, New Inventions, Career Guidance for Parents and students and Higher Education guidance. Creativity/Innovation, New Inventions and English proficiency will be important components of Student Centred Activities. - KRR |
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