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| Sunday, 29 January 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Unemployed graduates to improve education The Government has planned many important programmes for the development and advancement of the country's education in the future, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said recently. Addressing the annual prize giving ceremony of St. Anthony's Balika Vidyalaya, Kollupitiya, the Minister said that schools rendered a vital service in building a disciplined society, by turning out disciplined citizens. Teachers especially have to shoulder a major responsibility in this regard. He said as most schools don't have enough teachers, recruitment of more teachers will help create a qualitative improvement in education. Schools in the country would have the services of unemployed graduates who would be recruited to fulfil the requirements in the education sector, he pointed out. Addressing the function, the Minister said his Ministry would immediately allocate Rs. 2.5 million to the St. Anthony's Balika Vidyalaya building fund, as per the request for funds made by the principal. These funds will facilitate a new 10-classroom building. Children produce film on tsunami Can you think of a film produced by children? Yes... children just like you! The important fact is that this film is produced by children from Hambantota, who were affected by the tsunami.
'One year after the tsunami' is produced by ten tsunami affected children, with the support of Plan Sri Lanka and Young Asia Television (YaTV). The entire production of the short film; script, camera, lighting, editing and cast were handled by this group of children. The group was selected by Plan Sri Lanka and the YATV crew after training nearly 50 tsunami affected children in Hambantota. The training included a basic knowledge on filming. 'One year after the tsunami' portrays children's experiences after the tsunami. It discusses how the villagers were affected by the waves, and the rebuilding of the lives and the village, after the tsunami. Nishama Shyamini who helped with the script-writing, said that the production was a good experience, which they haven't known previously.
"Things we didn't know for a long time, and things we were not able to do for a long time, were made possible through this programme," she said. Nadee Poornima, another member of the production team, said that this was a unique experience."It is not an opportunity that everybody gets. It was a very valuable and novel programme where we learnt many aspects about communication," Nadee said. Sheran Madhushanka, Nishak Jayaweera, Dhanushka Prasad, Ishara, Isuru Sampath, Ravindu Prashan and Fathima Safna were among the other members of the team. Along with the screening of the short film, Plan Sri Lanka launched a book titled 'Children and the Tsunami' in Colombo. The report says that despite worldwide relief efforts, the government and aid agencies missed the opportunity to fully involve children during tsunami relief efforts and instead imposed imported solutions upon the children. Plan Sri Lanka is investing over 20 million US dollars in its four-year tsunami response programme, which includes projects in health, education, housing, livelihood and psychosocial support, aimed at improving the lives of those who survived the tsunami. CNK National Scout Jamboree and Camp The Seventh National Scout Jamboree and the Fourth SAF Scout Friendship Camp 2006, will be held at the Race Course, Nuwara Eliya from February 21 to 26. The camp, under the theme 'Forward with Effort and Unity', is organised by the Sri Lanka Scouts Association with the organising committee headed by Deputy Chief Commissioner, C. Batuwandara. The different events lined up are BP's Day and Former Scouts Day (February 22), Gilwelians Day (23rd), Differently Abled Scouts Day (24th) and Cub Scouts and Girl Guides Day (25th). Over 9000 scouts from 33 districts have already registered and are expected to take part in the Jamboree. Over 100 differently abled scouts from schools in Wattala, Ratmalana and Galle have also registered for the events, while over 100 scouts are expected from the Asia Pacific region and Norway. Only scouts above the age of 12 can take part in the camp. For further information, call the Jamboree Office Manager, Sri Lanka Scouts Association, No. 65/9, Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2. Phone/Fax: 94112433131 Email: [email protected]
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