News
Covid affected grade one kids neither literate nor numerate
Shocking discovery in small sample survey
Over 90 percent of students who were in grade one when COVID-19 broke out have been able to achieve a satisfactory level of literacy or a knowledge of numbers, a survey with a small sample of 10,600 such children has found.The report ‘Assessment on achievement levels of foundational skills in literacy and numeracy of grade three students in Sri Lanka,’ by the Ministry of Education has made this startling discovery.
The survey also found that 73 percent of the students do not have a satisfactory level of listening comprehension. Only 27 percent of students had satisfactory achievement in this area.The study has also found that 80 percent of these students do not have oral skills that are expected from students of their age. Sixty three percent of them do not have a satisfactory level of reading comprehension while 66 percent do not have writing skills expected at their age and education level.
Nineteen percent of the students have not read a single book during the time they were studying at home during lockdowns.The survey also found that 25 percent of the students had studied under teachers who had no training in teaching primary school students.
Out of the sample, 13 percent do not eat one meal while one percent consumed neither breakfast nor lunch.Thirty three percent are now heavily involved in online games due to the access to mobile games, the survey found. The Assessment was conducted in the years 2021 to 2022 to obtain an understanding of the status of students in terms of literacy and numeracy at a crucial stage of their primary education.
This was also done to establish a date for a vital indicator of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Te data includes the proportion of children in grade two or three at the end of primary education and at the end of lower secondary education achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics. The study was categorized by sex.
The ministry said that the students had lost most of their crucial first year of schooling due to school closures and that this was the first step in establishing a continuous national mechanism to collect data on students‘ performance in literacy and numeracy and establish an annual national level monitoring and intervention mechanism. This survey is expected to be followed by national assessments for grades six and eight classes.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
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