Efficient distribution of textbooks

The school textbooks for 2008 are to be distributed before the commencement of the new school year. The Education Ministry will distribute these books following the instructions of Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

Students will receive their textbooks under the 'Quality Textbooks in Time' concept.All students around the country will receive their textbooks without any delays.

One million books have been printed for distribution among four million schoolchildren. The Ministry has introduced a single textbook system. Private and international schools can also obtain the same textbooks used in government schools.

The transportation of textbooks will be carried out by Salusala.

Scientist creates 'micro-tornadoes'

Meteorologists concerned about a possible worldwide intensification (increase) of tornado activity may now be able to study tornadoes in the lab. Andrei Sommer of the University of Ulm in Germany has formed "micro-tornadoes" under millimetre-scale crystalline "igloos".

Sommer evaporated tiny drops of water laced with polystyrene nanospheres to form transparent igloos. The drops consist of 15 microlitres of liquid and form the igloos after being deposited on a surface under an evaporation chamber.

As the drops evaporated, Sommer observed patterns formed by swirling micro-vortexes (whirlpools) that appeared similar to those formed by tornadoes. Because the conditions favouring the formation of the micro-tornadoes are identical to those forming real tornadoes, Sommer suggested such igloos and their micro-tornadoes could become important new tools for meteorologists seeking to understand how certain atmospheric conditions spawn tornadoes.

"By simultaneously (at the same time) wetting the roof of such an igloo, if necessary, and injecting minimal amounts of water containing nanospheres into it, it should be possible to mimic (imitate) basic processes in tornadoes experimentally and to explore the impact of relevant boundary conditions including terrain (area) conditions and cloud cover," he said.

United Press International

Mental health problems, cause for concern

A foreign survey published in 2000 had shown that 10 per cent of children in the age group between five and 15 suffered from some mental health problem.

Emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety and obsessions; hyperactivity (over-active) due to inattention; and conduct disorders such as awkward, troublesome, aggressive and antisocial behaviour have been identified as the most common mental health problems faced by children.

It has also been found that mental health problems are more common in boys than girls, with 11.4 per cent of boys aged five to 15 having a problem, compared to 7.6 per cent of girls.

Why are we talking about mental health? Because the World Mental Health Day will be observed this week, on October 10. This year's theme, as decided by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is 'Mental health in a changing world: the impact of culture and diversity'.

The Day is commemorated every year by schools, youth groups, hospitals and other health-related organisations, libraries and local councils. Some of the activities organised around the world in connection with the event are art exhibitions, poetry readings, sponsored walks, information stands in shopping centres and libraries, health checks, music festivals, school assemblies, talks and poster displays.

These activities are organised to promote mental health and healthy behaviour and should aim at sensitising the public using the media and involving different partners such as NGOs, associations, youth groups and various decision makers.

The World Mental Health Day was first declared by the WFMH in 1992. The Day is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization.

Disaster reduction as a priority

We have been experiencing many large-scale natural disasters over the past few years. We came rather close to another one on September 12 with the earthquake in Indonesia and the tsunami warning.

This phenomenon of natural disasters has been increasing around the world over the past years. Promoting a global culture of natural disaster reduction including the prevention and mitigation (lessening the impact) of disasters and preparing communities to face such events are the objectives of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, which will be observed this year on October 10 (second Wednesday of October).

The Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and was to be observed annually during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (1990-1999).

Another initiative in this area was the World Disaster Reduction Campaign 2006-2007 launched in Paris in June 2006 by the UN/InternationalStrategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat and UNESCO, with support from the French Government.

This campaign has as its theme 'Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School' and focuses on promoting the safety of school buildings and the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction (DRR) into school curricula or at least school activities. It seeks to promote disaster resilience (adaptability) in schools through schools.

According to available information, 22 countries have already achieved highly visible successes in school-oriented DRR initiatives.

Ramazan this week

Our Muslim readers would be celebrating Ramazan later this week with the sighting of the new moon. The month of Ramazan (Id-ul-Fitr) is the holiest month in the calendar for Muslims. It is on this day that they see the culmination of a month of fasting and intense prayer.

It is a time when Muslims all over the world focus on their faith and practise God's commandments. They renew their commitment to lead lives of honesty, integrity and compassion. The day also teaches them the value of being more caring towards underprivileged people.