Getting the language mix right to develop Sri Lanka
March 11, 2012, 7:31 pm , The Island
Welcome
Welcome to the eighty-first (81st ) edition of the regular column "The Catalyst".
The Education System
One of the main issues that Sri Lanka faces is its language problem. While the languages of Sinhalese and Tamil are extremely important as mother tongues to most Sri Lankans, English can play a vital role as the common medium. One of the key aspects for the future of the country is to get our language mix right. This is something that has gone wrong for us in the past. Conducting state affairs in Sinhalese meant that the native Tamil speakers couldn’t deal with the government in a language that they are comfortable in, and that in turn reduced life opportunities for them. Not only the Tamils but also the native Sinhalese speakers were also adversely affected. The lack of English skills weakened the capability and potential of our students to deal with the emerging knowledge based society.
Recently the government decided to declare the year 2012 as the Year for a Trilingual Sri Lanka. It is a commendable initiative to encourage the people of Sri Lanka to communicate effectively in all three languages. The Cabinet of Ministers last week approved a Ten Year Plan formulated as the basis for a National Programme to motivate the people to acquire trilingual skills. The fact that the President himself has taken the initiative to make this a personal practice is a positive gesture and there is nothing better than leading by example.
However, I would like to point out that the method in which we teach English in our schools needs improvement. After teaching students the language for duration of the entire school period, we have students coming out at Year 13 who can’t speak a word of it! Obviously there is a problem, and I hope this weakness will be considered and rectified when teaching three languages.
The way to teach a language is by encouraging the application of it. Along the way, the students should be trained to use it in practical scenarios. Just teaching the grammar and concentrating on writing doesn’t necessarily improve language skills.
For example, Sri Lankans who travel to countries like Italy, the Middle East or Japan, learn the respective languages of those countries relatively fast. That is because people are put in a situation where they have to use it. To use it, they have to learn it.
Another key factor is to take gradual measures to remove the exam oriented nature in the education system. Parallel to that, there needs to be a process that introduces and implements skill-based education. A part of it could be looking at the delivery modes as discussed earlier. At the moment, there’s very little practical work but includes a lot of writing, as students are expected to memorise notes. Nevertheless can we make it more of a practical environment where the students actually learn out of interest? There is a difference between learning vs teaching. What we do is mostly teaching, of course it is important in certain areas, but it has to be mixed with learning. That is getting the student to do things practically; research, read, observe, experiment and learn. This means that the motivation for the learning should come from within the student. And the teachers’ task would be to encourage and develop that learning skill. They are the traits we need to develop in a student to have a generation that is more innovative, takes initiative and adds value to the country using their talent.
Reconciliation
Solving some of these problems in regards to the language mix could be achieved through changes in the education system and that can have a favourable impact on the reconciliation process in our country. Although the Geneva summit and various international forces are talking about taking action against human rights violations, I believe these are the real problems on the ground to be solved for a sustainable peace.
Let’s set aside the past, move forward and build a better future!
In this light, the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS) in its series of events to promote reconciliation will convene the next national conference on the "Role of Education in Reconciliation" on Tuesday, 13th March from 2:00-6:00 pm.
Education is a critical tool in Sri Lanka’s path towards long term reconciliation. Education can be used to promote tolerance, co-existence, and moderation. Once the dust settles after a conflict – inter-ethnic, inter-racial, internal or external education is a common and a vital call. Education offers the chance to shape minds, hearts, and behaviours of succeeding generations.
It is important that we educate the young people to respect others, to make friends and that the beauty of society lies in our differences. It is important to make them understand the cost of group hatred, the tools for resolving disputes and skills to negotiate, to stand up against demagogues and to be peacemakers. A morally educated generation will help prevent future violence and atrocities.
For education to be holistic, it needs to account for its various dimensions such as culture of understanding, non-violence, tolerance, mutual respect and co-habitation, intercultural and interfaith understanding, linguistic diversity, peace and love. Promotion of such values, attitudes, and behaviour directs communities towards a harmonious and a more secure society. This transformation of values could aid in the process of healing and reconciliation thereby strengthening cooperation on a country’s shared goals – peace, prosperity and the well being of all citizens.
Speakers at the conference
will be:
* Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs
* Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, Head, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
* Hon. Mohan Lal Grero, Monitoring Minister of Education
* Mr H.M. Gunasekara, Secretary, Ministry of Education
* Mr Sundaran Divakalala, Former Secretary North & East, Cultural Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Education
* Mr Rajasingham Narendran, Former Associate Professor, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
* Ms Nirmalie Wickramasinghe, Principal, Ladies’ College, Colombo
* Rev. Sister Canice Fernando, Holy Family Convent, Rajagiriya
* Mr Javid Yusuf, Former Principal, Zahira College, Colombo
* Mr Prashanthalal de Alwis, Visiting Lecturer, University of Colombo
* Participation is by invitation, so if interested please email lkiirss@gmail.com
Young Global Leader from
Sri Lanka
Having mentioned the conference of Kadirgamar Institute, it’s very aptly to mention and recognise that its Executive Director Asanga Abeyagoonasekera has been selected as a Young Global Leader (YGL) for 2012. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Asanga, on matters associated with the reconciliation conference process as a resource person.
During the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this year, 192 exceptional individuals around the world received their official nomination as Young Global Leaders.
The Forum of Young Global Leaders brings together outstanding leaders, aged 40 years or younger, who have committed to devoting part of their knowledge and energy over the next five years to collectively work towards a better future.
Past YGLs include Maria Bartiromo, Managing Editor, Wall Street Journal Report, CNBC, USA; David Cameron, Prime Minister of UK; Esther Duflo, Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Larry Page, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Google and Zhang Xin, Chief Executive Officer, SOHO China.
"In the last few years, the world has seen the biggest recession in almost a century and we now face daunting global challenges," said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. "Recovery and innovation will require new, unique ideas and an environment where the best minds, ideas and leadership can thrive. The most important determinant of this will be how we use human talent. Within the World Economic Forum community, the Young Global Leaders represent the voice for the future and the hopes of the next generation. I am particularly proud of this year’s honourees, who I believe will address the challenges we face in a meaningful way through fresh thinking and true multi-stakeholder engagement."
Asanga is the only son of late Ossie Abeyagoonasekera, Leader of Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP), MP and Presidential candidate who was assassinated by LTTE in 1994 when Asanga was 16 years.
Events
The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) has introduced a new Special Interest Group (SIG) for IT Enabled Services. The newly formed IT Enabled Services SIG will meet for the first time on 15th March at 5.30pm. We are going to discuss about BPOs, the Sri Lankan situation and borrow some insights from India. The speaker is ably suitable for this. He is none other than Mr Pankaj Akhauri, COO- Timex BPO. The venue is, 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo. The date: 15th March and time: 05.30 to 07.30 PM.
The CSSL is organising a session on Free and Open Source Software. This session will specifically talk about "Storing and Processing Big Data with Open Source Tools". The great thing about Free and Open Source Software is that that they are free and they are available for everyone to use and change as required. This presentation will help you understand how to store and process big data with open source tools. The presenter is Deependra Ariyadewa, who currently works at WSO2. This session is also Free and Open for everyone so we invite you to participate. The venue again is, 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo. The date: 13th March and time: 05.30 to 07.30 PM.
For any of the above events, please drop an email to info@cssl.lk or call 11 4713336 to confirm your participation.
See you next week!
The Columnist
Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama is a professional with significant experiences. In 2011 he was recognised as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) in Sri Lanka. Yasas has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from University of Colombo and a Masters degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Swinburne University in Australia. He has worked in the USA, UK, Sri Lanka & Australia and being trained in the USA & Malaysia. He is currently involved in the training organisation, Lanka BPO Academy (www.lankabpoacademy.lk). Yasas is also an Executive Council Member of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL – www.cssl.lk). Apart from this column, he is a regular resource person for ‘Ape Gama’ program of FM Derana (Sunday 3-5pm). Yasas is happy to answer your relevant questions – email him at yva@lankabpoacademy.lk .
