Year One admissions:

Every child will get a school

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Education Ministry last week directed Zonal Education officers countrywide to find alternative schools immediately for year one children who have not yet obtained school admissions to year one for this year.

It is said that many applications which were submitted by parents of children for Year One classes this year have been rejected by school authorities, especially in National schools due to various reasons.

Speaking to Junior Observer, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that his Ministry is committed to provide schools to every child in the country as education is a basic right of a child, and under no circumstances will any child be refused admission.

He said if children have the qualifications to enter a school of their choice, the school authorities must accommodate such children in their schools.

He said however, that like in previous years, parents should prove that they have their permanent residencies within the required radius between the schools and their residencies.

"In addition they have to forward a few other documents such as electricity bills and copies of electoral lists to prove that they live within close proximity to the relevant schools," he said.

Meanwhile, a Senior Education Ministry official requested parents of children who have not yet been selected to any school for year one to forward their appeals to the relevant Zonal Education offices.

He said that no student will be enrolled to National schools since the admission process to these schools has already been completed.

"However, if there are vacancies in National schools such vacancies will be filled after appeal interviews," he said.

The Education Minister also directed school authorities to ensure that all students who are selected after appeal interviews are enrolled to schools before the year one classes commenced for other students.

Best Environment Friendly School of the Year: 2010

Who'll win the trophy?

Being eco-friendly today is of utmost importance taking into consideration the drastic impact of global warming we have to face today. With the aim of promoting an awareness among schoolchildren about the need to conserve and protect the environment and also reward those who do so, the Green Forest Association has been organising school competitions throughout the country in the past. This year too they have taken steps to organise the 'Best Environment Friendly School of the Year Completion' for the third time.

If your school meets the following criteria your school qualifies for the competition which is open to schools throughout the country.

What is needed to qualify?

* Waste management programmes

* Home gardening and agricultural pursuits

*Awareness programmes and slogans

*Well-kept classrooms

* Herbal gardens, orchards and forestry

*Creations: 'Weebissa' (receptacle for paddy storing), ponds, model tanks, "Gami Gedara" (peasant home)

* Slogans and murals

* Beautifying and keeping school premises clean

* Disciplined and obedient students

The awards ceremony will be held on July 10 at 9.00 a.m., at the John de Silva Theatre, Colombo 7.

Applications closed on April 5, 2010. So hurry and ensure your school is the winner.

For inquires contact Executive Director, Green Forest Association, 17/1, 'Haritha', Sri Gnanawimala Mawatha, Athurugiriya.

World Schools Debating Championship 2010, Doha, Qatar:

English debate team represents Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Schools team is currently participating in the 21st edition of the World School Debating Championship, in Doha, Qatar which commenced on February 8 and will conclude on February 19.

The World Schools Debating Championship is an international debating competition for secondary school students which commenced in 1988, and has been held in seventeen countries.

Past patrons of the tournament include Nelson Mandela and Tony Blair. This year 57 countries from all continents are participating and the Sri Lankan team comprises. Sandaruwan De Silva (Capt.) - Bishop's College (18), Sanjit Dias - S. Thomas' College (15), Maleen Jayasuriya - Wesley College (17), Pranjeevan Kulasingham - S. Thomas' College (18), Kithmina Hewage - Colombo International School (18) and the coach - Mr. Deshan Pushparajah.

The team representing Sri Lanka was selected by the Debaters' Council (of Sri Lanka) under the guidance of the Ministry of Education.

Sandaruwani De Silva, the Captain of the team represent the country for an unprecedented fourth year this time. The remainder of the team are promising freshers.

Sri Lanka aims to take the momentum of recent years into the tournament and become the surprise champions of the competition.