More schools to be upgraded shortly

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Shortcomings in the education sector such as teacher shortages and lack of facilities in rural schools became a focal point once again with measures being taken to implement the 1000 Secondary Schools Development Programme shortly.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane expressed concern over the solving of all day-to-day educational problems in schools and assured that under the proposed secondary school development programme which will be completed before the end of this year, language laboratories, Science and Mathematics laboratories and Information and Technology laboratories will be set up to offer a comprehensive education to 4.3 million school children in the country. He said the language laboratory will help school children to learn Korean, French , German , Japanese, Chinese and many other important languages in addition to English which is considered as a link language.

He said Mathematics and Science laboratories will help children to expand their knowledge on Mathematical problems and the latest developments in the field of Science.

"We have decided to employ more qualified and trained Mathematics teachers to countrywide schools and stop the teacher shortage for these subjects.

Existing Science laboratories in schools will be modernized with sophisticated apparatus and other equipment," he said.

He said under the government's new educational vision, steps will be taken to improve aesthetic studies and sports of school children with the objective of sending them to local and international events.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of expanding the knowledge on international affairs of school children and said that children in this globalized world should be keen on learning how to handle computers and also use the internet.

He said children should also learn how to browse information within a few seconds by using various websites.

He said the newly introduced Web Patashala information technology programme will greatly help in this regard. "School children are very fortunate to have computer facilities in their schools today.

The Government has provided computers not only for urban schools , but also for all rural and remote schools in the country," he added.

Vesak, a time to focus on Buddha's life

The Thrice Blessed Day Vesak falls on May 5 . It marks three important events that took place in the life of the Buddha; the birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbana . It is a hallowed day to all Buddhists the world over and most of you must be looking forward to this day.which is considered as both a religious and cultural festival in Sri Lanka.

Many religious activities are organised during this period in the country such as sil campaigns, bodhi poojas, dansalas and Vesak devotional songs (bakthi gee). Creative pandols (thoran) depicting the life of the Buddha are also erected in many places while the streets and houses are decorated with colourful jets and Vesak lanterns.

Apart from Sri Lanka, many other Asian countries including India, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Nepal celebrate Vesak.

Many temples are filled with devotees observing atasil and pilgrims all over Sri Lanka to mark this great event. In temples Buddhists worship, offer flowers, light lamps and burn incense.Other than the exclusive religious aspects of the festival, the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, decorate their houses and public places and arrange for various cultural events to bring happiness to everyone on this day.

It is the ideal time for you to focus on the life of the Buddha and strive to lead a life in accordance with His great teachings.

Many of you must be attending dhamma school and learning about the importance of following His teachings. So, with only a few more days for the dawn of the Thrice Blessed Day, make sure to engage in meritorious acts as you prepare to celebrate this event of great religious significance in the Buddhist calendar .

We wish our readers a happy and blessed Vesak Day!

Book launch

Three children's books entitled Mamai Handamamai, Ape Rata Hungak Lokui and Kurulu Pihatuva written by. Jayawanthi Mahawaduge were launched at the National Library and Ducumentation Services Board auditorium recently.Here the author hands over a book to a student of Indigolla Primary School, Gampaha during the book launch. Prof. Ven. Induragare Dhammarathana Thera of Kelaniya University was the guest of honour.