Features

Infrastructure facilities in our schools: a thing that begs a critical look

Published

4 years ago

2021/01/18

By Dr B. J. C. Perera

MBBS(Cey), DCH(Cey), DCH(Eng), MD (Paediatrics), MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin), FRCP(Lon), FRCPCH(UK), FSLCPaed, FCCP, Hony FRCPCH(UK), Hony. FCGP(SL)

Specialist Consultant Paediatrician

We are all ever so proud of our Free Education System. Mainly due to the foresight of politicians of the past, such as Dr C.W.W. Kannangara, and perhaps many others in the education sphere as well, our system of education has provided distinctive opportunities for all children in our land, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, ethnicity and wealth.

The far-sighted vision of our education system is to provide optimal educational facilities to each and every child of the Sri Lankan nation. The mission of the authorities to provide this is of course quite a laudable and noble task. Yet for all that, as at present, it is well-recognised that this venture is not an absolutely perfect, equal and even totally equitable venture that provides irrefutable as well as sublimely equivalent opportunities to every child in this entire island. There are most definitely quite a few problems in this system. However, in spite of all of some confounding circumstances, something akin to a level playing field in the realm of education has been provided for our children in whose capabilities the future of this country rest. It is stating the obvious to say that the intellectual and other aptitudes of youngsters need to be nurtured, developed and augmented through a most valuable education system for us to reap the benefits of such endeavours in the not-too-distant future.

Many of us, including parents, look at certain tangible characteristics that are exclusively and purely related to the imparting of knowledge and education in schools. There is no doubt that these are of absolute and prime importance and provision of information to young minds should take pride of place. Of course, the provision of adequate numbers of properly qualified and dedicated teachers with the necessary aptitudes as well as empathetic qualities, is a very vital cog in the wheel of the entire spectrum of education. We do acknowledge that there are problems in providing optimal numbers of qualified and suitable teachers to all schools in our island. However, this article hopes to address some other important consideration that should be taken note of. These include at least three of the vital infrastructure facilities in our schools.

The first of these is the provision of pipe-borne running water for each and every school. It has been estimated that around 40 to 50 percent of schools, mainly those in non-urban and far-away remote areas, do not have the facilities of a proper water supply, leave alone pipe borne running water. Economic constraints have been the main reason for this problem. The state is expected to provide this facility to each and every school in this island nation. If it is not possible to get this done through the government, there may be certain enterprising ways of getting such things done by the local population itself. It is possible to very often harness the philanthropy of willing residents in these areas to try and think of ways to finance the basic infrastructure of a satisfactory water supply to these schools. Most of these areas have affluent people who might be more than willing to be a part of such useful and noble ventures that would benefit the children of the very same areas. There are also ways of fund-raising events that could be organised by the school authorities themselves that would augment the monetary amounts that are needed for such projects. All it needs is a little imagination and of course unstinted leadership. The politicians of the area too can help in such endeavours. In fact, the total amount of money needed for a water supply project for these could be surprisingly low, provided some of the labour for the project could be secured via local residents through their voluntary efforts or through their generosity.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, schools were kept closed for almost to nine months. Schools in many areas of the country opened for academic activities for designated classes on 11th January 2021. The education authorities are planning to gradually open the other classes in a stepwise fashion and perhaps within another month or so all classes will be functional. One of the prime recommendations for prevention of coronavirus infections by the health authorities is frequent washing of hands. For this measure to be effective it should be performed in an optimal fashion. It is recommended that hands should be washed with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. What is the real purpose of our pontificating on the dire necessity of hand washing practices if there is no running water in the schools?

The second essential provision that should be attended to is the establishment of proper and hygienic toilets and wash-rooms. It is well-known that these are pretty unsatisfactory in very many schools. Some may not have properly functioning toilet facilities at all. Even when some sort of these amenities are available, cleanliness of these facilities in these edifices of learning seem to have gone through the windows of the very same institutions. Building and maintaining suitable toilets are no big deals if the residents of the area, the parents and even the children themselves are roped into the exercise. In many households in these areas, it is the children themselves who are made to clean and take adequate care of the toilets in their own homes. If it is properly organised, there is no reason why the children could take over such responsibilities in their own schools as well.

We have seen many children scrupulously avoiding biological relieving of themselves for prolonged periods of time because of the lack of proper sanitary facilities in toilets and washrooms. Quite a few of them, especially young girls, elect to wait for hours on end with full urinary bladders. Sometimes immediately after school time, they attend tuition classes where these sanitary facilities are no better. It is on record that Paediatricians and Genito-Urinary Surgeons do see children with persistently overstretched urinary bladders that could lead to major medical problems later on in their lives.

The third dire necessity for all schools is electricity. Many areas of our country still do not have alternating current power provided through the national grid. The government is on a committed course to try and provide electricity to many of our remote and impoverished areas. However, with the myriad of problems faced by the power generating and distributing sectors as well as the basic power infrastructure mechanisms, this might be wishful thinking, at least for the time being. In these days of electronic learning platforms and tremendous expansion of the possible electronic facilities to play a seminal role in education processes, the provision of electricity to all schools becomes a vital need. Once again, innovative ways of providing electricity through local solar power units, wind power securing mechanisms and even mini-hydro power generating enterprises are things that may be needed in some of the most remote areas.

Having mentioned at least some of the things that need rather urgent attention, the need of the hour to take these initiatives forward would be a committed partnership of schools with the residents of the same area. In many an instance our people are most receptive to the needs of children. This author has worked as a Consultant Paediatrician in three major towns in the periphery of our country, surrounded by remote and impoverished areas, for a total of 12 years before he reached the citadels and bastions of child healthcare in Colombo. The stints in these three areas were, in one-man stations as we call it, without another Consultant Paediatrician being available for miles and miles around. The author is well aware of what can be done by harnessing the goodwill of the local populace of these areas. Our people in these areas, of all religions, castes and creeds, consider it to be a supremely meritorious act of kindness to help out the hospital wards that cater to the health needs of their own children. They painted the wards, provided mattresses for the beds, bought expensive medicines for those who were not able to afford them, kept the wards and the toilets clean and generally threw their collective shoulder to the wheel. If something was needed, the author only had to ask, and most willing cooperation was there from the people, just for the asking. He does not see any reason for it to be any different, if help is sought from the very same people for the schools in those very same areas.

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Features

‘Silent Majority’ abandoned to Long-suffering in regional conflicts

Published

12 hours ago

2025/05/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

People of the Gaza strip gather to collect food. (Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock)

With reports emerging that India has attacked some ‘sites’ in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the question could be posed whether the stage has just been set for yet another costly India-Pakistan military conflict. Sensible opinion in South Asia could only hope that wise counsel would sooner rather than later come to prevail on both sides of the divide and that they would draw back from the brink of full-scale war.

The states concerned ought to know fully well the possible wide-ranging weighty consequences of another regional conflict. It should be plain to see that it would benefit none in the two theatres of confrontation, most particularly the relevant publics or the ‘Silent Majority’.

In fact, in connection with the mentioned initial military attacks, the Pakistani side has gone on record that some civilian lives have been lost. Such losses could burgeon in the event of full scale hostilities. These costs could of course be staggering and unimaginable in the event the nuclear option is resorted to by the sides, going forward.

Accordingly, the hope of the peace-loving world-wide is likely to be that India and Pakistan would give negotiations a chance and resolve their differences peacefully. It would be in the best interests of the world for the champions of peace to join their voices to that of UN chief Antonio Guterres and call on the sides to negotiate an end to their differences.

The utter helplessness and misery of the people of the Gaza ought to drive home afresh the horrors of war. Currently the news is that the Gazans are literally starving to death. Food and other essentials provided by UN agencies are reportedly being prevented by Israel from getting to the hapless people of Gaza. So dire is their situation that concerned quarters are calling on the compassionate worldwide to provide the Gazans with food, water and other essentials voluntarily. This SOS would need to be heeded forthwith.

Accordingly, it could be inferred that most formal arrangements, including those that are generally under the purview of the UN, geared to providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the needy, have, for all intents and purposes, been rendered ineffective in the Gaza. The UN cannot be faulted for this state of things; rather, Israel should be held accountable in the main for it.

The matter of accountability is central to the dramatic slide into lawlessness the world has been experiencing over the past few decades. As could be seen, International Law is no longer fully applicable in the conflict and war zones of the world because it is not being adhered to by many state and non-state aggressors. That the UN is hapless in the face of such lawlessness is plain to see.

We have of course the Middle East wherein International Law has fallen silent for quite a while. How could it be otherwise, when Israeli aggressions are being winked at by the US, for which the policy of backing Israel is almost sacrosanct?

Moreover, under President Donald Trump, it is difficult to see the US changing policy course on the Middle East. Trump made vague promises of bringing peace to the region in the run-up to his reelection but has done nothing concrete by way of peace-making. Consequently, complete lawlessness prevails in the Middle East. US policy towards Israel counts as another example of how the self- interest of US central administrations blinds them to their international obligations, in this case Middle East peace.

However, the commentator could be criticized as being biased if he holds only Israel responsible for what has befallen the Middle East. It has been the position of this columnist that Israel’s security needs should be taken cognizance of by its state and non-state adversaries in the Middle East and acted upon if the basis is to be laid for a durable Middle East peace. Inasmuch as Palestinian statehood must be guaranteed, the same should be seen as applicable to Israel. The latter too enjoys the right to live in a secure state of its own, unopposed by its neighbours.

The Ukraine of today is also sad testimony to the ill consequences of powerful, aggressor states wantonly disregarding International Law and its obligations. Nothing could justify Russia in invading Ukraine and subjecting it to a condition of Longsuffering. Clearly, Ukraine’s sovereignty has been violated and such excesses go to the heart of the current state of ‘International Disorder’. Of course the same stricture applies to the US in relation to its military misadventures in Afghanistan and Iraq, to name just two such modern examples.

There is no ducking the fact, then, that civilian publics in the mentioned theatres of war and outside, are being subjected to the worst suffering as a consequence of the big powers’ self-aggrandizement schemes and military misadventures. Longsuffering becomes the tragic lot of the people who have nothing to do with such unbridled power ambitions.

One would not be exaggerating the case if he states that civilian publics count for almost nothing in the present ‘International Disorder’. Increasingly it is becoming evident that from the viewpoint of the big powers and authoritarian governments the people are of little or no importance. Considering that self-aggrandizement is of the paramount interest for the former the public interest is coming to be seen as inconsequential.

Consequently, not much of a case could be made currently for the once almost reverentially spoken of ‘Social Contract’. For, the public interest does not count for much in the scrambles for power among the major powers who are seen at the popular level as the principal history-makers.

It is in view of the above that much is expected of India. Today the latter is a ‘Swing State’ of the first importance. Besides being a major democracy, it is one of the world’s principal economic and military powers. It possesses abundant potential to help to put things right in international politics. If there is one state in Asia that could help in restoring respect for International Law, it is India.

Considering the above, India, one believes, is obliged to bear the responsibility of keeping South Asia free of any more long-running, wasting wars that could aggravate the material hardships and socio-economic blights of the region. Thus, India would need to consider it imperative to negotiating peace with Pakistan.

Features

Memorable happening … Down Under

Published

12 hours ago

2025/05/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Lyceum swimmers at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Under the Global-Ise Australia Advanced Sports Development Programme, a delegation of 15 swimmers from Lyceum International School, Wattala, had the remarkable opportunity to train and experience high-performance sports development in Melbourne, Australia.

The 10-day programme was carefully curated to offer intensive training, educational exposure, and cultural experiences for the young athletes.

The swimmers underwent specialised training through Swimming Victoria’s elite programme, held at some of Melbourne’s premier aquatic facilities.

Visit to Victorian Parliament

Each day began as early as 5:00 a.m. and continued until 7:00 p.m., ensuring a rigorous and enriching schedule that mirrored the standards of international competitive swimming.

Beyond training, the programme offered a wide array of experiences to broaden the students’ horizons.

Morning training

The tour group explored iconic landmarks such as the Victorian Parliament and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and enjoyed shopping at Chadstone – The Fashion Capital. They also experienced the natural beauty of Victoria with visits to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, and Cardinia Reservoir Park, where they observed kangaroos in their natural habitat.

An academic highlight of the tour was the group’s exclusive visits to three of Australia’s leading universities: the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and Deakin University. These visits aimed to inspire students and showcase the vast educational opportunities available in Australia.

Checking out the scene at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery

As part of the cultural immersion, Global-Ise hosted a traditional Australian BBQ at the Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully. The students also enjoyed a variety of diverse culinary experiences each evening, further enriching their understanding of local and international food cultures.

The tour concluded with a celebratory dinner at the Spicy Wicket Restaurant, where each participant received a presentation in recognition of their involvement.

Enjoying an Aussie BBQ for lunch

The evening was made especially memorable by the presence of Pradeepa Saram, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Victoria.

Global-Ise Management—Ken Jacobs, Johann Jayasinha, and Dr Luckmika Perera (Consultant from the University of Melbourne)—did a magnificent job in planning and the execution of the advanced sports programme.

Coaches from Sri Lanka presenting a plaque to Global-Ise Management team
Ken Jacobs (centre), Johann Jayasinha, and Dr Luckmika Perera (on the right

Features

Bright, Smooth Skin

Published

12 hours ago

2025/05/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hi! How’s the beauty scene keeping with you?

Phew, this heat is awful but there is nothing that we can do about it.

However, there are ways and means to take care of your skin and I will do my best to help you in every way I can.

Well, this week, let’s go for a Bright, Smooth Skin.

Gram flour (also known as besan) is a traditional skincare ingredient known for its:

* Natural exfoliating properties.

* Ability to absorb excess oil.

* Gentle brightening and tan-removal effects.

* Suitability for all skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.

You will need 01–02 tablespoons gram flour (besan) and rose water, or raw milk, to make a paste.

You could add the following two as optional add-ins: A pinch of turmeric (for extra glow), and a few drops of lemon juice (for oily skin and pigmentation)

Add the gram flour to a small bowl and mix in the rose water (for oily/sensitive skin) or raw milk (for dry skin) slowly.

Stir well to make a smooth, spreadable paste—not too thick, not too runny.

Now apply this mixture, evenly, to your damp face and neck, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes (don’t let it dry completely if you have dry skin).

Gently massage in circular motions using wet fingers—this helps exfoliate.

Rinse off with lukewarm water, and then pat your skin dry.

Use it 02–03 times a week for best results.

Skin Benefits:

* Removes dirt, sweat, and oil without stripping natural moisture.

* Gently exfoliates dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin.

* Brightens the complexion and fades mild tanning.

* Helps clear clogged pores and reduce pimples.

* Leaves skin fresh and glowing—perfect for humid climates.