More recruitment to overcome dearth of teachers

Student-teacher ratios to be taken into consideration:

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The dearth of trained teachers for English language, Mathematics, Science and Social studies in Government schools has become a major problem and this situation must be rectified without further delay, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

The Education Minister told the Junior Observer that he had already discussed this matter with relevant education authorities and said that steps will soon be taken to recruit more teachers for these subjects. He also disclosed that there is a dearth of teachers in certain schools, especially in the remote and rural sectors and urgent measures must be taken to solve this problem by recruiting sufficient teachers.

The Minister said that according to acceptable standards a teacher should be appointed to look into the education needs of 25 students and this shows the need to appoint teachers to schools taking into consideration the student population in each school.

He said in future, teacher recruitment must be done according to proper criteria.

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Director, Kalyani Gunasekara told the Junior Observer that other than in several rural and remote schools in the country, there is no dearth of teachers in popular schools in Colombo and several other cities.

Referring to the record number of over 8,000 students and the number of teachers at Royal College, Colombo, she said several other schools such as Visakha, Devi Balika, Ananda and several main schools in Colombo also have excessive number of teachers in comparison to the student population.

"However, some outstation schools have a single teacher to serve over 100 students and this situation should be rectified," she added.

Special Juvenile Court

The Justice Ministry established a special Juvenile Court in Battaramulla, recently.

The Court is a special one because of its unique set up of hearing cases. The Judge will not sit on an elevated stage above the well of the Court but hear the cases sitting at the same table with children, Ministry sources said.

According to Ministry sources, the Court premises will consist of a children's park with games for children. The child Magistrate's Court which had been functional in Bambalapitiya to hear children's cases was not suitable for a child.The second Juvenile Court will be set up in Jaffna in December.

Eid ul Fitr - Ramazan Festival

The 'Eid ul Fitr' Ramazan Festival which falls on September 10, celebrates the end of Ramazan, a period of fasting. It is a happy occasion when Muslims mark the accomplishment of fasting and thank Almighty Allah for giving them the self control to succeed.

Islam has bestowed two festivals for its followers, Eid ul Fitr - the Ramazan Festival and Eid ul Azha, the Haj Festival. Both are celebrated after some sacrifices, which make them even more valuable.The festivals begin at the first sighting of the new moon. Muslims after attending special morning prayers, will visit friends and family. During these visits, many people were in their best clothes, special foods are served to the guests. Exchanging Greetings of "Thakabal Allahu Minna Wa Minka" (Oh Allah accept us and others).

The Ramazan festival comes after a month-long fasting. This festival generates immense satisfaction among children and adults due to the successful completion of fasting on the command of Allah.

Let our fervent prayer on this Holy day of Ramazan be for peace, harmony, tolerance, understanding and brotherhood.

We wish our readers a happy Eid ul Fitr.

Text and Pic. Ruzaik Farook

Winners of Learn about America Essay Competition

March 2010

12-14 years

1st place - Menushi Rajapakse, Bishop's College, Colombo 3.

2nd Place - Vishmi Perera, Sussex College, Gampaha.

3rd Place - Rachel Dana Berman, Buddhist Ladies College, Colombo 7.

15-16 years

1st Place - Thirunavuckarasu Thuvarakan, Hartley College, Point-Pedro, Jaffna.

2nd Place - Pramodha Weerasekera, Musaeus College, Colombo 7.

3rd Place - Ahanya Loganathan, Hindu Ladies' College, Colombo.

17-18 years

1st Place - Hasini Weerasinghe, Musaeus College, Colombo 7.

2nd Place - Ishani Divajini Chandrasena, Wayamba Royal College, Kurunegala.

3rd Place - No suitable essays.

April 2010

12-14 years

1st Place - W.M. Vindya Nilupulee Rajasekara, Wickramashila National School, Giriulla.

2nd Place - Vihanga Lakshani Amarakoon, Sumana Balika Vidyalaya, Ratnapura.

3rd Place - Charith Rukshan Suriyaarachchie, St. Peter's College, Colombo 4.

15-16 years

1st Place - W. Naveen Devinda, Siridhamma College, Labuduwa, Galle

2nd Place - Linda Clare Warnakulasuriya, Kuda Kusum Balika Vidyalaya, Bandarawela.

3rd Place - No suitable essays.

17-18 years

1st Place - M.L.F. Sameera, Al Mubarak National School, Malwana.

2nd Place - Maimoon Mohamed, Visakha Girls' High School, Badulla.

3rd Place - Faleel Mohammed Akmal, Paragahadeniya National School, Weuda.