Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Free education has no meaning if we fail to gear it to suit 21st century needs - Ranil



by Lalaji Manawadu


Ambalangoda: "If we are unable to gear the education system suitable for the 21st century, free education in the country would be meaningless. There is no value if we impart only what was available in the age-old education system. Our schools and other educational institutes should prepare students to fit into the needs of the 21st century," said the Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremasinghe presiding over a meeting held at D. Chandradasa Home for the Aged in Batapola.

"We have international schools and foreign universities set up in the country to suit the present day needs. They charge fees. It is vital to allocate more funds from the Parliament to implement a fitting education system suitable for the 21st century, to other children who attend the state schools and universities," he said.

The ceremony was held to offer scholarships to 100 selected school children by the DC Group to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the group and the 80th birth commemoration of the late D. Chandradasa.

The Opposition Leader also said that education was essential for all for the society to march forward. Without an education the future of a society would be bleak. Whether one was rich or poor he or she must be educated. Children should make good use of school education without fail. Well educated ones would have the chance to be good politicians or get good employment opportunities. Education system in this 21st century was different to the one imparted in the past.

"Today it is quite essential to have a knowledge of computers. English as well as other languages, Mathematics and business studies have become popular. When we were schooling we only wrote our notes in the exercise book. Today not only in developed countries like America but also the poorest country has to adopt an education system suitable for the 21st century. In those countries children learn by computer. We are still reading books," he said.

He praised the DC Group for annually spending about Rs. 3 million on poor children’s education.

Chief incumbent monk of Subradaramaya, Batapola Ven. Batapola Nanda Thera, Chairman of DC Group, D. Mahesh Chandradasa, Galle district MP and UNP spokesman, Gayantha Karunatillake, SPC Chief Minister, Shan Wijelal, SPC member, Jayantha Jayaweera, Scholarship winners, B. Samira Priyanganie and Mahesh Suranga also spoke.