Opinion
Education: Seeking quality in quantity
Cabinet approval has been granted for increasing the number of pupils in a classroom from 35 to 45. This proposal is the reversal of the move taken by the previous government to decrease the number from 40 to 35. Both moves were justified citing valid reasons by the respective governments. One of the objectives of the present move, increasing the number from 35 to 45, is to bring about quality education ensuring access to the maximum number of pupils.
The practicality of this move is worth discussing. The extent of a primary classroom in a state school is 20×20 feet. These classrooms are separated by a narrow partition wall where noise is permeable to the adjacent classroom. Room temperatures in these classrooms rise up to 35 degrees or more during some months of the year. Only one teacher is assigned to teach 35 or more students without the assistance of teacher assistants.
The role of a primary teacher is complex. She plays mother, guardian and caretaker in the classroom. Monitoring the pupils in a multilevel classroom, identifying individual differences of the pupils , keeping records about them and taking measures to ensure inclusiveness in the class too are duties assigned to her, besides teaching. A manageable number of pupils in a classroom makes the teacher’s role effective and productive.
Increasing the number of pupils up to 45 appears to be ill-advised.
If the objective of the move is to increase access, there are other ways of achievig that goal. that are more constructive and effective than merely increasing the number.
The number of pupils in semi-urban and rural schools in the country is smaller when compared with that of the urban city-based popular schools. These schools in semi-urban and rural areas can be improved to deliver a quality education. Technology can be made use of for this purpose.
The fact that popular city-based schools deliver quality education is a myth. Teachers are produced by a few recognised institutes like National Colleges of Education, Teachers Colleges and Universities. What the system lacks, is a strong monitoring process. Avenues for teachers to update his/her knowledge and enhance their skills too are rare. The government can design and implement a strong and sustainable mechanism to improve the quality of teachers.
Primary education, is the stage where the teacher can identify skills and talents of the pupils. Close observation of the behaviour of the pupils is necessary to guide them. Hence the need to ensure tht a classroom has a manageable number o students.
KULARATHNE SURIYA ARACHCHI
Here is what you can do!
Comedy and the ability to have a good laugh are what keep us sane. The good news to announce is that there are many British and American comedy shows posted up and available on the internet.
They will bring a few hours of welcome relief from our present doldrums.
Firstly, and in a class of its own, are the many Benny Hill shows. Benny is a British comedian who comes from a circus family, and was brought up in an atmosphere of circus clowning. Each show is carefully polished and rehearsed to get the comedy across and understood successfully. These clips have the most beautiful stage props and settings with suitable, amusing costumes. This is really good comedy for the mature, older viewer.
Benny Hill has produced shows that are “Master-Class” in quality adult entertainment. All his shows are good.
Then comes the “Not the Nine o’clock news” with Rowan Atkinson and his comedy team producing good entertainment suitable for all.
And then comes the “Two Ronnies” – Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, with their dry sense of humour and wit. Search and you will find other uplifting shows such as Dave Allen, with his monologues and humour.
All these shows have been broadcast in Britain over the last 50 years and are well worth viewing on the Internet.
Similarly, in The USA of America. There are some really great entertainment shows. And never forget Fats Waller in the film “Stormy Weather,” where he was the pianist in the unforgettable, epic, comedy song “Ain’t Misbehavin”. And then there is “Bewitched” with young and glamorous Samantha Stevens and her mother, Endora who can perform magic. It is amazing entertainment! This show, although from the 1970s was a milestone in US light entertainment, along with many more.
And do not overlook Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, and all the Disney films. Donald Duck gives us a great wealth of simple comedy.
The US offers you a mountain of comedy and good humour on Youtube. All these shows await you, just by accessing the Internet! The internet channel, ‘You tube’ itself, comes from America! The Americans reach out to you with good, happy things right into your own living room!
Those few people with the ability to understand English have the key to a great- great storehouse of uplifting humour and entertainment. They are rich indeed!
Priyantha Hettige
After the recent disaster, a great deal of information has been circulating on WhatsApp and YouTube regarding our reservoirs, highways, etc.
In many of these discussions, people have analysed what went wrong and how the damage could have been prevented. My question is this: why do all these knowledgeable voices emerge only after disaster strikes? One simple reason may be that our self-proclaimed, all-knowing governing messiahs refuse to listen to anyone outside their circles. It is never too late to learn, but has any government decision-maker read or listened to these suggestions?
When the whole world is offering help to overcome this tragedy, has the government even considered seeking modern forecasting equipment and the essential resources currently not available to our armed forces, police, and disaster-management centres?
B Perera
A great deal has been said about Cyclone Ditwah and its impact. To my mind one important aspect of it has not been addressed.
During the 1,400 odd landslides, it washed off a vast volume of soil which entered the various water bodies like tanks, lakes, rivers and streams etc. This process has raised their water levels reducing the water holding capacities (water holding capacity has a different meaning in soil science). What it means is that they cannot hold the same amount of water as before without spilling. Therefore, a precipitation which would not have been significant then can cause spilling of tanks leading to floods now. Hence there is a possibility of experiencing more floods in the future. Due to silting the tanks will carry less water than before, thus reducing the irrigable areas under their command. They will not be able to irrigate the same extents of paddy, thus affecting production.
How do we rectify this situation? It is desilting which can be very expensive.
It is good if these are considered in future planning.
Gamini Peiris
Panadura
Experienced agriculturist
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