|
|
|
| Sunday, 14 August 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Junior Observer School Edition launched
Hundreds of students representing 52 Students in colourful Junior Observer t-shirts and caps (sponsored by Raigam Marketing Services) joined the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) staff, celebrating another historical milestone of the first and only children's English newspaper in Sri Lanka. The eleven-month-old Junior Observer is now available at Rs. 8 through schools. However, it will also be available free with the Sunday Observer. (The school edition will have a blue star with the price indicated on it, while the free copy will carry a red star as usual). The occasion was graced by Chief of Learning Years and Adolescents Programme of UNICEF Sri Lanka, Pushpa Jayakody, Communications Coordinator British Council, Savanthi de Silva, Chairman ANCL Janadasa Peiris and Prof. Sunanda Mahendra. While stressing the importance of learning English, Mrs. Jayakody commended the Junior Observer for taking measures to promote such an important language in the country especially in rural areas.Echoing Mrs. Jayakody, Editor of the Sunday Observer, Jayatilleke de Silva emphasised the value of learning English. "We should learn English not to attain social status. English is a tool and a powerful window to the world," he noted.
Mr. Dhammike Athukorala, English Teacher from Medamulla De Mel Navodya School, Melsiripura, the first school subscribing to the Junior Observer School Edition, thanked the newspaper for encouraging the reading habit among his schoolchildren.Prof. Sunanda Mahendra and ANCL Director Editorial Prof. Gamini Keerawella too highlighted the importance of learning English.The Junior Observer will be celebrating her first anniversary in September. The newspaper, which has a membership of over 3000, is also a member of the World Young Readers Network (YRN), a project of the World Association of Newspapers. In future, young readers will be able to take part in international campaigns and projects conducted by the YRN. Schools interested in placing orders for the Junior Observer(School Edition) should contact the Circulation Department of ANCL on 2429378, 2429444 or 2429373 ten days prior to the date of publlication. - CNK ############ IT education in schools
In addition to IT being introduced to the school curriculum as a separate subject, special programmes are being developed for IT to be used as a tool to learn other subjects such as maths, science and geography. This will be introduced in stages, from Grade 1-13. The required CDs and teaching material will be made available, the Ministry said. This is the first time a total package for Information and Communication Technology education in schools and universities was developed, and plans for its implementation prepared. Another novel feature is the active involvement of the private sector in building partnerships with the Ministry and universities, in the implementation of the programme. ########### Project for Green Cities Greenery everywhere, streams carrying pure water, no garbage lining the roads and a beautiful and pleasing environment, wouldn't you like to live in such surroundings? This is exactly what the Green Cities concept is trying to achieve. Green Cities is an initiative by Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie. With this programme, the Environment Ministry plans to set up Green Cities throughout the country. They will be complete with different types of trees and plants, pure water canals and an environment devoid of shanties and animals such as cattle and goats which pollute the city environment. The programme was officially launched in Madampe, Chilaw recently by Minister Fowzie with the planting of trees in the city and distribution of compost barrels to families. These projects were launched to prevent garbage being collected along roads. The Ministry along with local authorities and the police in each area have also planned a project to protect waterways from pollution and to establish proper drainage systems. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
The Education Ministry has planned a comprehensive programme to
strengthen and expand Information Technology education in schools and
universities. 
