Need to introduce a job oriented education system

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The need to modernise the country's education system in line with the advancing technology in the 21st century was highlighted by the Minister of Education, Bandula Gunawardane .

He said as the Governments objective is to create an educated and intelligent society and also reduce the country's unemployment rate to zero as early as possible, the education system needs to be changed in keeping with the job availability.

It is in this context that the education system has to be revamped introducing more job oriented subjects such as IT and English, he said at a ceremony held recently in Colombo to coincide with the presentation of 30 scholarships to students who had excelled in the 2010 G.C. E O/L examination.

The scholarships amounting to Rs 2,500 per student for a period of two years were granted by Dialog, under the ' Dialog Merit Scholarships' scheme launched in 2003.

The Minister appreciated the generous contributions made by the private sector to uplift the education system in the country.

He pointed out that today many local and international organisations have stepped in to support the Government's endeavour to uplift school education in the country .

The Minister said the Government aims to grant more scholarships to students who excel at all three state conducted examinations, the Grade five scholarships examination ,G.C.E O/L and the G.C.E A/L examinations .

"The proposed 1000 schools programme scheduled to be completed shortly will help meet the educational needs of most students in the 21st century," the Minister said.

Tangerine Tango is the colour of 2012

Tangerine Tango, an electric orange red, is the colour of 2012, according to the Pantone Color Institute. It's warm, uplifting, and energiszing, and it happens to look great with almost every skin tone,say the officials.

The vibrant shade has already made its way onto fashion designers' radars and surely there will be even more examples to come, as Pantone's predictions influence all manner of consumer product manufacturers from cosmetic companies to paint suppliers.

Each year the Pantone Color Institute forecasts the colour for the year ahead and the due diligence is intense. Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Institute who spearheads the project, notes Pantone experts scour the world and consider what's percolating in every possible industry. They also put Eiseman's background in psychology to good use.

"There's a lot of homework that goes into it. But it's also,what is it that people are needing? There are a lot of concerns out there and serious issues we are facing. Colour, from a psychological standpoint, can be uplifting. We arrived at this particular orange because it's hopeful and optimistic and also has sophistication"

- Courtesy: Internet

Disney's new princess "Sofia the First "

TheDisney company confirmed to The Wrap that it is introducing an animated movie and TV series that will revolve around Sofia, the purple-gowned kiddie princess. (Though a Disney creation, and a princess, she is not part of the Disney Princess lineup).

"Sofia the First" adventures will begin with the titular little girl, who becomes a princess when her mom marries the king of her storybook world.

Sofia and her mom then pack up and move to the royal castle, where her fancy, glamorous new life includes frilly frocks and Amber and James, her new stepbrother and stepsister. Other Disney Princesses, including Cinderella, will pop up in Sofia's world, and "Sleeping Beauty" fairies Fauna, Flora and Merryweather will appear as the headmistresses of Royal Prep, Sofia's school.

The "Sofia" movie will debut in fall 2012, with the TV series following in spring 2013. "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter will voice Sofia, with "Grey's Anatomy" star Sara Ramirez as her mom, Queen Miranda, "Let's Make a Deal" host Wayne Brady as a clever rabbit named Clover and "Project Runway" fashion guru Tim Gunn voicing Baileywick, the Royal Steward.

"Sofia" will debut on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior, the daytime block of programming that will launch as its own cable channel early in 2012. Disney Junior is aimed at the 2-7-year-old age group.

"Although Sofia will have plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes, our stories will show Sofia, and our viewers, that what makes a real princess is what's inside, not what's outside," said Nancy Kanter, senior vice president of programming and general manager for Disney Junior Worldwide. "That the inner character of kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty and grace make you special, not the dress you wear.

"In Sofia, we have a 'peer to peer princess,' a relatable girl experiencing the same social issues as our young viewers - learning how to fit in, making new friends, conquering new skills and building sibling relationships."