Higher education:

Select institutes of repute

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake recently called upon children who seek higher education for future prospects to monitor the suitability of educational institutions they wish to enter as many such institutions have mushroomed and some are conducted by unqualified teachers.He said steps will be taken by the Government to look into such institutions and stop the operation of these ‘education shops’, conducted by some non-professionals.

The Higher Education Minister told the Junior Observer that the Government's prime objective is to expand education opportunities and give a quality higher education to all students including a large section of students who fails to qualify for the universities.Minister Dissanayake said the 2011 budget described the current status of the country's university system and proposed a three -year development initiative for all state universities in the country.

“Additional funds have been allocated to transform the universities of Peradeniya, Moratuwa, Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kelaniya and Ruhuna to international standards in their chosen field”.

Minister Dissanayake further said that in addition to a small percentage of students who study at universities, a large number of other students are registered every year for external degree programs.

He said steps will also be taken to remove external degree components that do not help in securing employment and are not beneficial in any way for the student population.

Over the Rainbow, a musical not to be missed

The Colombo International School will be staging their Infant play ‘Overthe Rainbow’ at the School Auditorium on June 14 and 15.

‘Over the Rainbow’ is a children’s musical developed from the popular MGM screenplay and novel by Frank Baum ‘The Wizard of OZ’. The cast will consist of over 250 students which include students from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. The production will be a modern theatrical performance with the use of sophisticated LED video,providing the unique opportunity for the audience to experience the splendour of a production blended with the best of talent and technology.

The musical includes a variety of dance, song and drama to keep your toes tapping along the yellow brick road while the attractive costumes add to the colour of the production.

Directed by Mrs. Amanda Rajesh and choreographed by Ms. Shanika Weerasinghe the musical direction is by Mrs. Chrishanthy Anthony and staff of CIS.

Let's end child labour

Child labour is a major problem that needs to be addressed urgently and in 2010 the international community adopted a Road map for achieving the elimination of the worst forms of child labour by 2016, which stressed that child labour is an impediment to children’s rights and a barrier to development.

This year the World Day Against Child Labour (on June 12) will provide a spotlight on the right of all children to be protected from child labour and from other violations of fundamental human rights. World Day 2012 will highlight the work that needs to be done to make the road map a reality. This year's theme is Human rights and social justice... let's end child labour.

The ILO’s Conventions seek to protect children from exposure to child labour. Together with other international instruments relating to child workers’ and human rights they provide an important framework for legislation established by national governments.

However, the ILO’s most recent global estimate is that 215 million children worldwide are involved in child labour, with more than half this number involved in its worst forms.

The children concerned should be at school being educated, and acquiring skills that prepare them for decent work as adults. By entering the labour market prematurely, they are deprived of this critical education and training that can help to lift them, their families and communities out of a cycle of poverty. In its worst forms, child labourers may also be exposed to physical, psychological or moral suffering that can cause long term damage to their lives.

On this World Day the International Labour Organization (ILO) calls for:

*A Universal ratification of the ILO’s Conventions on child labour (and of all ILO core Conventions)

* A National policies and programmes to ensure effective progress in the elimination of child labour

* A Action to build the worldwide movement against child labour

The principles and rights established in eight ILO core Conventions are also regarded as human rights which all ILO Member States are required to respect, promote and realise. The ”fundamental principles and rights at work” concern freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the abolition of child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

What can you do to minimise the problem of child labour in Sri Lanka? Think about the little children who are being deprived of their precious childhood as a result of being forced to join the labour force at a tender age. If you know of any person employing children do not turn a blind eye to their pathetic plight. Children should not be made to shoulder the responsibilities of adults no matter what the circumstances are.

Courtesy: ILO