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| Sunday, 11 December 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Facilities upgraded at Bundala sanctuary
The wetland sanctuary is situated between Tissamaharama and Hambantota, spread over 6,216 hectares. It is the nesting place for a large number of migratory birds including flamingoes, painted storks, spoon bills and pelicans. A wide range of other bird species also frequent the area. Excavations carried out by archaeologists at Bundala had also revealed that an early settlement had existed at the site. A tourist centre was set up at Bundala recently to provide better services to visitors, both local and foreign. It consists of two exhibition halls and an auditorium. Lectures and video tape presentations will be delivered here with the purpose of educating tourists and schoolchildren. Meanwhile, the Department of Wildlife Conservation has instructed wildlife officials to be on the alert for possible signs of bird-flu, with the beginning of the bird migration season. Sri Lanka's wetlands such as Bundala, Kumana and Anawilundawa provide refuge to a large variety of birds flying into tropical countries to escape the harsh winters in their home countries. There is the possibility of the virus affecting Sri Lanka's birdlife with these migratory birds joining local waterfowl in catchment areas. ####### Next school year to have 197 days You must be enjoying your end-of-the-year school holidays by now. Some of you must be getting ready for Christmas, while even those who are not, may have got caught up in the festive mood. However, while you enjoy a well-earned break from your hectic school life, don't neglect your studies altogether, as another school term is just around the corner. When you go back to school, it will be a new year, you will be in a new class, with new friends and teachers, and learning new lessons. The Ministry of Education has now decided on the timetable for the 2006 school year for government schools. Accordingly, there will be 197 school days next year. Thirty two days have been reserved for the GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations, for which the proposed dates are December 11 to 21 and April 19 to May 11 respectively. Those of you sitting for these examinations can now have an early start, and prepare yourself for these vital goals in your school career. The first term of all Sinhala and Tamil medium government schools will comprise 67 days, and will last from January 2 to April 7. The second term for schools conducting the A/L examination within their premises will consist of 62 days, from May 15 to July 11. Schools where the examination won't be held will have their second term from May 8 to August 4, for a period of 63 days. The third term, the final term for the year, will also comprise 67 days, from September 4 to December 8. Then it will be another year-end once again, and more exciting holidays for you. ######## Ladybird promotes 'key words' Most of you must be familiar with the Ladybird books. They are a good tool to learn and teach English and have helped many children around the world to learn the language. Key words, the basis for the UK publisher's reading scheme developed by founder William Murray, 40 years ago, was the topic of a series of seminars conducted in Sri Lanka recently by his children, Tony Murray and Lorna Hillman. Based on research that '100 words in the English language make up 50 per cent of what an average person reads or writes, the seminars at the British Council, Colombo were attended by more than 550 pre-school teachers.The objective of the programme was to promote the implementation of this method in Lankan pre-schools. Ladybird conducted four seminars within two days and plans to conduct similar programmes in other Asian countries such as India, Malaysia and Pakistan. The Ladybird key words reading scheme is an especially designed series of illustrated books to teach reading. It ensures that children learn to read with confidence and enjoyment and develop learning at a steady pace. 'Teaching methods for pre-school children', 'The effect of praise on the learner', and 'Bringing books to life' were some of the presentations conducted by Ladybird. After three years of research on the science, philosophy and structure behind the English language, William Murray, author of 'The original key words reading scheme', discovered which are the most used words in the English language. The key words reading scheme is based on the fact that children learn to read and write English much more quickly and easily if they learn these 'key words' first. The key words reading scheme is made up of 36 Ladybird mini hardback books, as well as a number of other resources. |
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Most of you may have heard of the Bundala sanctuary, while some of you
may have even visited this wonder of nature. 
