O/Levels in English medium

Students sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examination, who would prefer to sit for their exams in the English medium, can now do so in terms of a new circular released by the Education Ministry.

Arrangements have been made for the General Certificate in Education (Ordinary Level) to be conducted in the English medium in 2007, in one or more subjects of the candidate's choice. Certain guidelines will however apply.

The circular issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education lays down the rules and regulations whereby a candidate could choose to sit for subjects in the English medium at the GCE O/Ls. Accordingly, school candidates who wish to sit for subjects in the English medium will have to apply only for the subjects they have followed in school.

However, a candidate will not be able to change the medium once he/she has applied to sit for the examination in the English medium. They will have to separately state the media by which they wish to sit for the different subjects.

Sinhala and Tamil language papers, Sinhala and Bharatha Dancing, Sinhala and Karnataka Music, Hindu Religion and Sinhala, Tamil and Arabic Literature will not be offered in English. Secondary Languages (Sinhala/Tamil), which come under the 'Additional Subjects' category too will not be offered in English.

There is an approved list of subjects and the candidates can choose one or more subjects from this list to answer in the English medium.

Gliricidia for coconut plantations

You may have heard of Gliricidia plants. They are a variety of organic fertiliser and enriches the soil by adding Nitrogen, an essential component for cultivation. It is a fuel source as well. Gliricidia also helps maintain the water level of the land and minimises soil erosion.

It has also proven to be beneficial when grown in coconut plantations, as it provides the necessary nutrients to the proper growth of the coconut trees. The Coconut Development Authority now plans to grow Gliricidia in coconut lands to fulfil this need.

Gliricidia doesn't need much care and effort to grow and can be cultivated under any environmental and soil condition in Sri Lanka. They can be successfully cultivated even in fallow(uncultivated) lands where other plants cannot be cultivated easily.

It can face harsh environmental conditions and can also be used as a pest control method. The trees also absorb direct and excess sunlight, while providing shelter for the coconut plantations.

New coral varieties discovered

We have featured corals and coral reefs many times in the Junior Observer. The Sri Lankan coastal line is just as rich as any other in coral communities. Just like new species of animals keep being discovered every day, new varieties of corals are also discovered.

Thirteen new coral species have recently been identified in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. However, the coral reefs which have existed in the gulf have been vanishing rapidly, with their total area declining by 30 per cent over the last two decades, the findings of a survey conducted by an Indian marine research institute have revealed. The survey had been conducted in the 560 sqkm park over the last four years.

The report says that there are 117 species of coral varieties in the park. However, live coral is present only on a 78 square kilometre area in the park. Over 32 sqkm more of the coral cover was found 20 years ago. Destructive fishing and sewage disposal had been the main causes of the decline of the reefs.

The exact geographical locations of the live coral in the park, stated in the report, would make monitoring and conservation easier. It can provide information about the gulf's ecosystem, and help organisations involved in protecting and enhancing marine resources.

Vault for 'doomsday'

An Arctic "doomsday vault" aimed at providing mankind with food in case of a global catastrophe (crisis) will be designed to sustain the effects of climate change, the project's builders said as they unveiled the architectural plans.

The top-security repository (storage place), carved into the permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil in the Arctic) near the North Pole, will preserve some three million batches of seeds from all known varieties of the planet's crops. The hope is that the vault (safe) will make it possible to re-establish crops obliterated (destroyed) by major disasters.

"We have taken into consideration the (outside) temperature rising and have located the facility so far inside the rock, that it will be in permafrost and won't be affected by the outside temperature", Magnus Bredeli Tveiten, project manager at Norway's Directorate of Public Construction and Property, said. Construction on the seed bank, also dubbed the "Noah's Ark of food", will begin this month.

The seed samples, such as wheat and potatoes, will be stored in two chambers located deep inside a mountain, accessed by a 120-metre tunnel. The tunnel and vaults will be excavated (dug) using boring and blasting techniques.

The rock walls will be sprayed with concrete. The seeds will be maintained at a temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius. The vault is situated about 130m above current sea level. It would not flood if Greenland's ice sheet melts, which some estimate would increase sea levels by 7m.

It is expected to remain safe even if the ices of Antarctica completely melt - which experts say could increase sea levels by 61 m.

AFP

Money from garbage

Did you know that the sale of garbage could be a profitable venture? Besides bringing you an additional income, it could contribute to the well-being of the environment too.

The Kasala Pola (sale of garbage) held at the Nelubewa Maha Vidyalaya in Hidogama, Anuradhapura has become a great success, bringing in Rs. 75,000 in one day. The money was distributed among the children who collected this garbage, resulting in them receiving an additional income.

The students collected waste material which could be reused or used as compost. This project was very popular among the schoolchildren as well as the buyers.

Young artist from Matale

Ten-year-old Vikum Chandrasekera of Vijaya College, Matale was adjudged the winner at the Unilever International Schools Art Project, an all island art competition for children, that drew entries from nearly 8,000 schools in Sri Lanka.

Vikum's painting was drawn entirely by hand; he mixes the paint with his fingers and paints on canvas using his fingers. Later this year, the little boy and his mother will fly to the United Kingdom where he will display his creation, along with winning entries from other countries, at the prestigious Tate Gallery in London.

The Unilever global project, which has been conducted since 2001, was successfully held in Sri Lanka for the second year. The exhibits were displayed at the Vihara Maha Devi Open Air Theatre on March 17.

Developing Seruwila sacred area

The sacred area of Seruwila is to be developed by the government, and the site is expected to become a World Heritage Site on a proposal by UNESCO.

Discussions about developing the area have been carried out between the Ministry of Construction and Engineering Services and the Maha Sangha.

The earmarked development work of the Seruwila Sacred Area includes reconstruction of the shrine, sacred relic chamber, library and preaching hall, and the construction of a museum.

Developing the grounds of the Seruwila site is expected to cost an estimated Rs. 27 million while the development of the project’s township is expected to cost another Rs. 51 million.