National integration through moral education

by A.M. Ahamed

During the freedom struggle there was no problem of national integration, because winning independence had bound the entire nation into one thread. But after independence, some disruptive forces such as class, caste, regionalism and poverty have surfaced. We have expressed faith in a democratic set up. In the development of a country its cultural differences are of vital importance, because they enrich the life of the nation in various ways. Many of us quarrel in favour of certain languages and certain States oppose each other to determine these boundaries. Today national integration has become a problem and finding a solution for this has become an issue for education. We should understand the obstacles in the way of national integration.

Cultural viewpoint

From the cultural viewpoint Sri Lanka has always remained one country. Our social reformers always advocated one country. Even great kings and emperors have always aspired to rule the island as one country. Dutugemunu and Parakramabahu the Great regarded Sri Lanka as one nation and tried to establish their suzerainty over the entire land and succeeded to a great extent. The entire land became one political unit under the British empire. Many rulers of the native States within the British rule maintained their own administrative systems. The idea that Sri Lanka is not one nation but a group of various nations as nurtured by some people led to separatism after Independence.

Religion

In our country there are followers of many religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Riots have occurred in the name of religion and language and an apprehension about the same is always felt. A sense of opposition between Hindus and Muslims and between the Sinhalese and Muslims and between the Sinhalese and the Hindus was always present and as such there is no feeling of common brotherhood or national integration.

Certain universities, colleges and educational centres are notorious for favouring persons of a particular religion in admissions and employment. Some colleges are known as Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim Catholic or as Christian colleges.

At elections candidates for various constituencies are chosen on the basis of religion in the area concerned. Thus many things are being done on an ethnic basis. No national integration is possible unless religious preferences are discarded.

National issues

Some political parties in our country do not appear to be helpful in our efforts for national integration. The UNP, SLFP, TULF, LSSP, Communist Party, Muslim Congress and JVP are not at one on national issues. Any attempt for national integration is opposed by some party on certain grounds. The declaration of Sinhala as an official language caused much dissension. Each party appears to be keen on ensuring its vote bank. No political party appears to keep national interests at heart.

From an administrative point of view our country is divided into nine provincial administrative units set up on regional pressures such as languages and other interests. They have some kind of disputes and some are opponents of others. This can never be helpful for national integration. It is true that there are people who regard national interests above anything else while there are those who determine certain policies on a regional basis.

In our country, mainly two languages are spoken by the people. There are some who do not like the language spoken by others. Due to this some people want English as the official language. The Constitution recognises Sinhala as the national language on the grounds that it is spoken by the majority. We find the problem of language has become a stumbling block in our national integration.

Some people who feel that Sri Lankan culture is a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu, Arab and British cultures want to spread dissension in the society. Sri Lanka's culture which is made up of many sub cultures is our own culture. It has incorporated some of the elements of other cultures but it has maintained its own special characteristics. Hence a person nurtured in Sri Lanka's culture is easily spotted in any part of the world. Therefore, we must believe in one Sri Lankan culture, the lack of which will be fatal to national integration.

Economic inequalities

Economic inequalities are an obstacle to national integration and democracy. For democracy to succeed it is necessary that we show economic inequality at various social levels irrespective of ethnic diversity and multi cultural fabric. Therefore, in the interests of national integration we should rid the existing economic inequalities.

For national integration, able leadership is necessary because an able leader can ward off the disruptive forces and bring people on the right track. We lack skilful leaders. There are a few leaders who are acceptable to the country. Today we find certain leaders bent on ethnicity, language, religion, and class which is harmful to national integration.

Education

Education plays an important role in national integration. The existing system of education organised by the Britishers is not conducive to national integration. Some changes made in education have not been quite adequate. Children should be taught the biographies of great persons from different walks of life who worked for the country. In the reorganisation of education we should highlight these which may lead to national integration.

In selecting persons for various services impartiality is not observed. The Public Service Commission appears to be successful to some extent. According to some people its weaknesses are perceptible in some places due to political influence. This lack of impartiality is not always the case. But if the feeling for national integration is lacking there will be no impartiality. In the selection of candidates for minor grades partiality is quite perceptible. The Sinhala officer tries to appoint his peons and clerks from among the Sinhalese. The Tamil or the Muslim does likewise. Some Ministers and MPs appoint persons for various posts from there own areas or regions. This vicious tendency could be corrected by stressing the value of moral education in school or at college level.

So far we have discussed factors which go against national integration. Now let's discuss measures for national integration. In fact when dealing with obstacles our attention is naturally directed towards other helpful factors such as moral education.

Some people entertain misgivings regarding political amity in Sri Lanka. In the past though many rulers established independent principalities in the country and ruled for decades there had always been a wave binding people together. There has always been a cultural give and take policy and the people considered themselves as citizens of one country. This cultural amity has always reminded our people that they are citizens of one land. We have to strengthen unity and discourage the disruptive forces for national integration.

Emotional unity

People of the land must come together for national integration. There can be no national integration unless all people consider themselves as one and foster emotional unity among them. The imposing Dalada Maligawa, Adams Peak, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Manik Ganga and Seruwavila, Nallur Kovil, Konesvaram and Nagadeepa fills our heart with emotions of reverence. If any part of our land is invaded we sink differences and sacrifice our lives for our motherland. Our poets and writers have drawn our attention through their eulogies of the great rivers, mountains and seas to consolidate national unity.

Social unity

We have referred to the various social inequalities in our country. Some people do not have a sense of brotherhood toward each other. Cultural functions should be organised for the sake of national integration. No community should try to strengthen itself against the national interests. We should shed differences when it comes to religion, ethnicity, region, class and community for the sake of social amity. Sectarian loyalties must never be permitted against the national interests. The nation should come first and everything else thereafter. The U.S.A. succeeded in establishing a powerful nation after sinking feelings and attitudes for national integration. To use religion, ethnicity and community to fight elections is to misuse the same for narrow political ends against national integration.

Economic unity

Earlier we referred to the economic inequality in our country. For the sake of national integration that no part of the country should remain backward from an economic point of view. The backward classes and the minorities should be given special assistance for social uplift.

National language

The issue of national language has become vital for national integration. According to the Constitution, Sinhala and Tamil languages have been recognised as national languages. Education is a very powerful weapon for national integration. Through education we motivate our children to be good citizens. In school admissions including universities and appointment of teachers and other officials preference should not be given to any ethnic group, religion or community. In schools, colleges and universities preference should be given to national ideas whenever possible. It is only then that we could promote national integration. It is true that education should be organised in keeping with local needs, but even in such a situation national elements must never be overlooked.