Parents want status quo upheld

Admission to popular schools

Pulse of the People by Ananda Kannangara

Principal of Nalanda College, Colombo, Hemantha Premathilake was reluctant to make a comment on the new recommendations of the National Education Commission (NEC) on year-one admissions.

"The NEC has already submitted their proposals to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and I as a public servant, am bound to carry out whatever rules and regulations that are put forward by the Education Ministry".

President of an OBA of a leading school in Colombo, Sanjeewa Perera said the NEC could make various recommendations on this issue of but as a longstanding member of an OBA, he pointed out that a certain percentage of OBA members must be given the opportunity to admit their children to their respective schools. "The OBAs, OGAs and Past Pupils Associations are the backbone of school development activities in which they provide invaluable service to extra curricular activities without placing a burden on the school administration".

He said it was grossly unfair, if children under OBA and OGA categories were deprived from admission to schools considering the services rendered by their parents.

He also said that it was unfair that the NEC recommendations are applicable only for national schools and not for Tamil or Muslim schools in the country.

Father of two, S.D.S Deshapriya was not too pleased with the NEC recommendations and wants the Education Ministry to retain the same procedure.

"I am an active member of the Past Pupil's Association of my school and I always help the school in its development activities because of my keenness to admit my children to the same school,".

He said, if the system is to be changed, no members in our PPA will come forward in the schools' development activities.

Yohan Gunathilaka of Ganemulla thanked the President for appointing a commission to make recommendations, and according to media reports, the Commission has given valuable recommendations in this regard.

"However, I request the President to go ahead with the Commission's recommendations, otherwise low income families will never be able to admit their children to popular schools in Colombo and in the suburbs.

He added that at present several schools admit children to grade one only by considering the financial status and employment positions of parents.

Nalaka Kapukotuwa of Mahaiyawa, Kandy said his brother was a principal of a popular school in Kandy and according to the letter, The Government funds only the salaries of the members of the staff and some financial assistance is given to improve the school ground, buildings and sanitary facilities.

"If the NEC proposals are implemented, I am hundred per cent certain past pupils will not come forward to keep out in extra curricular activities."

Nirmal J. Kanth of Battaramulla said, "The Education Ministry is not aware of the huge contribution made by the past pupils and affluent concerned people to carry out development activities.

"Once admissions on PPA category and various other categories to Year One are restricted, all the extra activities done by school past pupils associations and affluent parents will come to a halt.

Therefore I request the education authorities to have second thoughts before going ahead with new recommendations".

A mother of three, Kamani Atukorala said "Two of my sons are attending a popular Government school in Colombo and most of the parents are very rich.

They also help the school in numerous ways such as granting local and foreign scholarships to children, conducting book distribution programs, purchasing expensive sports gear and also helping children to learn computer literacy.

"If the Government, minimise the admission of children under PPA scheme or be very strict on like the radius rule the then definitely the school will lose valuable support of parents and such a situation will badly affect the development of schools,".

A school principal and a father of two, Ganganath Suraweera, down south, said " We also like to admit children to our school from the surrounding areas, but most of them come from slums and shanties.

"If the Government accept the recommendations given by the NEC and issue a circular in this regard, then the school will have to minimise all extra curricular activities due to poor financial constraints of parents," he added.

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