Health & Indigenous Medicine Ministry's Supplementary Estimate for Rs. 660 M

There are discrepancies in the issue of appointment letters to nurses
- Renuka Herath

Parliament met at 9.30 a.m. Wednesday 23, 1998, with Speaker K. B. Ratnayake in the Chair.

After announcements were made by the Speaker, petitions were presented and Ministers answered Oral questions, House resumed debate on a supplementary estimate for Rs. 660 million presented on August 18, by the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine.

Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine moving the Supplementary Estimate for debate said. The estimate is being presented for the construction of a nurses school affiliated to the Sri Jayawardhanapura Hospital.

The construction costs and costs of equipment is being financed by JAICA. The approval of the House is sought for supplementary estimate for Rs. 660 million to meet the duty component and other minor expenses.

The cost of the whole project is Rs. 768 million. Available provision is only Rs. 120 million. The supplementary estimate does not affect the budgetary provisions for this year because this exercise is being almost completely financed by foreign assistance.

The new nurses school which is expected to be ready for commissioning by February 1999, will enable us to give our nurses the world’s most modern nursing technics. They will at the initial stages, be trained by Japanese nursing experts.

Trainees at the new nursing school will be able to find employment in the hospitals in the country.

There is also a demand for trained nurses in foreign countries such as the Middle East and some of the trained nurses would be able to find employment abroad.

We have plans to take in 325 nurses for training as 1st grade nurses from October 1st this year.

Renuka Herath (UNP-Nuwara Eliya District) said: The Minister’s suggestion to recruit students with 4 passes at the GCE Advanced Level exam to the Nurses Training School is a matter of concern. The Minister should reconsider this decision to impose such a requirement for entry to the Nurses Training School with the intention of improving the standard of nurse’s services. Why don’t you give them a better training without imposing such high educational standards, as this proves to be unfair to rural students who don’t have access to complete education facilities especially in the science stream.

There are discrepancies in the issue of appointment letters to nurses. The administrative structure of the ministry has to be streamlined. Why are you bringing down 42 insulators under the supervision of a official attached to the presidential secretariat? (Minister — you have been given wrong information).

The Sri Jayawardanapura hospital is getting beyond the reach of the poor, as the hospital has increased their charges recently. There is a shortage of nurses in certain units of the hospital. Please return the pick up to the Lady Ridgeway hospital as the LRH is in need of this vehicle.

Another matter of concern is the increase in the spread of cholera. This disease was successfully curbed as far back as 1910. Therefore it is a matter of concern that this disease is reaching closer to epidemic proportions in Sri Lanka now. 90% of the patients in Welikanda were confirmed cholera cases. It is the duty of the Ministry to look after the health of the refugees who have fallen victim to this disease in Welikanda.

Why is the supply of Thriposha coming down at an alarming rate?

The plantation sector hospitals also need special mention while the ministry should be commended for taking measures to carry out the projects initiated during the UNP rule. There has been a dearth of new projects.

Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Mahaweli Development said: Two ministers held the health portfolio during the 4 years of our government. Both have achieved excellent results.

In the past there was a serious lack of resources in the hospitals of Polonnaruwa. The patient had to suffer. Though these hospitals were under the North Central Provincial Council our government stepped in and helped them, when the Provincial Council had financial problem.

Some of the government hospitals did not have an ambulance.

The Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine has gifted a vehicle to the Polonnaruwa health officials who are working hard fighting the spread of cholera in Polonnaruwa district.

Over 2,000 health officials visited Polonnaruwa district fully equipped to educate people on how to prevent the spread of cholera.

In the Polonnaruwa district, cholera is under control now.

Ariyapala Walpitagama (UNP-Trincomalee District): There is a discrepancy in the nurses appointments to some areas. Trincomalee has not received the benefits of nurses training institutions. There is a shortage of nurses in this area.

The North-East Provincial Council has not received funds, that are essential to improve its health services. The Sinhala areas in Trincomalee are not given due attention. Drugs close to the expiry date are provided to the hospitals in the area. In some hospitals there is a shortage of saline and drugs for cholera.

When Renuka Herat was health minister she visited those remote areas in Trincomalee to find out their shortcomings. She gave special attention to the Kantale hospital that treats wounded soldiers.

Please look into the shortcomings in those hospitals.

Vasudeva Nanayakkara (PA-Ratnapura District) said: The government is following the same policy of the UNP which adopted the reduction of public spending annually.

Today the health budget has been reduced by 25 percent and it is not surprising that cholera and malaria is spreading.

The Minister is trying to put the available resources to maximum use but one cannot cover up resource deficiencies by management.

When you should tax the wealthy to raise funds needed to support the poor you have done away with the wealth tax and the corporate taxes. However, you have at the same time reduced expenditure on relief measures to the poorer sections. While you are giving more and more benefits to the rich, you are withdrawing relief to the poor.

Your government came to power to protect the interests of the poor but your actions today show that you are acting in complete contrast.

We are boasting that our social service programme was the best in the region but if you look at the figures of India and Pakistan you will find that it is not so.

According to the 1998 budget there is one doctor for every 3,579 persons of our population. In India this figure is one doctor for every 2,165 persons. In Pakistan there is a doctor for every 2,000 persons. Fifteen years ago there was one doctor in Sri Lanka for every one thousand odd persons. This shows a deterioration of health services.

On the recommendations of the World Bank you reduced public spending last year. Due to lack of funds you are not filling vacancies in the health sector.

Cuba is experiencing severe hardships due to trade embargo imposed by the United States. Its loss was around USD 80 million. Cuba has also lost trade with Russia due to the collapse of the Soviet Union which was Cuba’s main trade partner. But Cuba still has one doctor for every 176 persons of her population.

Muttu Sivalingam (CWC-Nuwara Eliya District) said: Government must take over more estate hospitals. It has promised to take over six. I am thankful about it.

You must fill the vacancies in hospitals. Hospital staffers should have even an elementary knowledge of Tamil.

The Nuwara Eliya hospital is in a very unsatisfactory condition. It is very unclean.

The upcountry also needs good maternity homes. At present the estate managements run maternity homes in small rooms.

The CWC is contemplating setting up a free hospital for estate workers shortly. The DMOs sent to the areas do not know Tamil. You are sending medical men with no knowledge of Tamil to North and East.

Health officers must visit the plantation dwellings periodically and the people should be advised on sanitary measures.

Contd. tomorrow

In Parliament at Adjournment

Postpone A/Level reform says, UNP

Postpone the implementation of the new scheme of GCE A/Level examination, as the implementation of it according to the present time-table would cause untold hardships to students said R. M. Ratnayake MP (Badulla district - UNP) who moved an adjournment motion in Parliament yesterday evening.

R. M. Ratnayake: So far candidates for Advanced Level Examination answered four question papers. Now this is going to be changed. The new scheme comes into operation in the year 2000.

Under the new scheme instead of four question papers students will have to answer only three question papers. A fourth question paper on general knowledge must be answered by students who wish to pursue university education.

Furthermore, the directives issued to principals of schools states that selections to universities will be made on the basis of the marks a student acquires for the fourth question paper. Even if a student acquires high marks in the first three papers he may not be qualified to enter universities.

This fourth question paper will cause serious problems to the students. The answers expected require wide knowledge, of science, law, history medicine and many other subjects.

Those aspiring to enter universities who must answer the fourth question paper will not be able to do anything else other than reading books on various subjects.

We asked for a debate on this question but the government did not give.

What we want is either to drop this 4th question paper or postpone the operation of the new scheme to 2005 and begin new courses from year 9. When doing so the school libraries could be supplied with the books that a student should read.

Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena (UNP, Matara district) said the general knowledge section of the proficiency test is a discrimination against students in distant villages. It is commendable that you have taken steps to limit the advanced level exam to 3 subjects. But the general knowledge paper in the proficiency test would prove a burden to a section of the student community that doesn't have access to up-to-date libraries and information networks.

Vishwa Warnapala, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education said we are debating today about a matter that is linked to entrance to university.

When I entered university in 1960, I had answered four question papers and in addition to this a three hour paper on general knowledge.

The Deputy Minister quoted Ivor Jenings who had stated that students are required to read more about the subject to acquire more knowledge surpassing their current education within the curriculum.

We want to produce a child with wider knowledge. We don't want to lock him up within the narrow limits of the subjects of present education.

A. H. M. Azwer, MP said what we ask the government to postpone the implementation of the new scheme was to allow a wider study of it by the people.

The Vice-President of the SLMC is asking what Minister M. H. M. Ashraff is doing when answer papers are being sold at Rs. 10,000 each in his own electorate.

The Minister must take to task the persons responsible for this situation whatever his position may be.

There is agitation against the Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University. I have nothing against him. But he had never been a Dean. He cannot work with other professors. He does not want to be questioned by anyone.

Opposition due to lack of understanding
- Minister

The opposition to the general awareness paper that Advance Level students have to answer in year 2000, stems from lack of understanding. Sixty percent of students who answered an experimental paper was successful and this proved that it would not cause any problems said Minister of Education and Higher Education Richard Pathirana who answered the issues raised by R. M. Ratnayake MP who moved an adjournment motion on the issue in parliament yesterday evening.

Minister of Education and Higher Education Richard Pathirana said the two opposition members who spoke on the issue contradicted each other. Mr. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane seems to be aware of the importance of the change. However the mover of the motion spoke without any knowledge.

Mr. Azwer spoke about leaked question papers and the Eastern University which have no bearing on the issue in question.

I have had extensive discussions with Prof. Nihal Perera about this question paper. A team went to Cambridge to gather information about the new scheme under which students have to answer a paper on general awareness. One member of the team was Prof. Carlo Fonseka.

We have held one experimental test recently and 60 percent of the students passed. We will hold nine more model tests. The final implementation of the change will be on the basis of the information that we will gather in the model tests.

If the general awareness test is found to be harmful we would change it. I agree with the argument of Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane.

I will ensure that no injustice done to any student.

Now I must answer the issues raised by Mr. Azwer.

When reports of the leakage of question papers reached me I ordered an inquiry. The question papers in question was found to be a handwritten one. I found that one question was correct and part of another question was also correct.

The question papers referred to were in Tamil and I got a Parliamentary translator to translate it into Sinhala and compared it with the Sinhala question paper.

I have ordered an investigation into this matter.

As Minister of Education I would not allow any corrupt practices with regard to question papers.

I have also ordered the withdrawal of the question paper concerned and to make arrangements for the students of the area concerned to answer a fresh paper.

We have gained from our educational policies followed since 1948
- Warnapala

Today there are 60 international schools. There were 198 national schools during our time. Today. Today there are 252 national schools a certain distinction has been given to national schools.

Today there is no place to labour. It is knowledge that is prominent today. We must keep this in mind when plans are formulated for students.

Vishwa Warnapala, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education: The argument is that we are going to increase the salaries of the Chairman, and the Vice-Chairman of the NEC.

We are only giving them a salary which would be drawing if they remained in the university service.

The Commission’s function under the NEC Act enacted by the UNP government was to advise the President on matters of education.

The President has appointed three Presidential Task Forces to recommend changes in the General Education, University Education and Technical, and Vocational Training.

By appointing these task forces the President intends to bring in charges in those three spheres in order to being them in line with the needs of the 21st century.

We have gained from our educational policies followed since 1948. For example we have advised high literary rates. But looking back after 50 years we see some deficiencies. When we compare our economy with the economies of the regional countries we see that there should be an effect to the up the educational acquirement of our country with the economic effort.

The present system of education is exam oriented. The General knowledge of our students far below the standard of children in other countries. The universities don’t have the atmosphere necessary for intellectual development. We agree that hire is a need for development of the education system. Once the education reforms are in place our education system will be geared for the 21st century.

Sivathasan (EPDP - Jaffna District) said: The main investment for presents in my area is the education of their children. The enthusiasm and the studiousness of these students is marred by the set backs faced by Tamil medium students. The text books for Tamil medium students are translations.

Technical education in North and East is hampered by

Nihal Galappaththi (SLPF) said: I thank the NEC for introducing proposals for educational reforms. I have asked for a debate on the proposals. The minister agreed but the debate did not take place.

University students met the NEC Chairman and had talks with him about the educational reforms. An agreement was reached to subject the proposals for a wider discussion. This too has not taken place.

The proposed educational reforms are completely silent about the students who do not pass the grade nine examination, while they give promise to those who have passed the examination.

M. Adaikalanadan (DPLF - Vanni District) said: There are no national schools in the Mannar District. This is affecting the students who seek to follow university education.

Government must improve the laboratories in schools in Mannar District. In the Vavuniya District there is a shortage of teachers. Please fill them.

M. Sathasivam (CWC - Nuwara-Eliya District): We appreciate the measures taken by the Education Commission to improve educational facilities in our area. There is a great need for further improvement. The cut off marks for plantation sector students to enter university have to be given special consideration by the Commission. The district quota system has to be more favourable to the plantation sector. I also request that a representative from the plantation sector be included in the committee for educational reforms, to improve the shortcomings in the curriculum of the Tamil medium students.

S. Balachandran (DPLF - Vanni District) said: There is still a shortage of teachers despite appointments made recently in the Vanni District. Hindu religious teachers should be appointed from among those who sat for the examination recently.

Mannar is a backward district and the government must adopt a special scheme to improve education in the district.

Also please set up a national school.

Only 12 graduates from Vanni District have been appointed and they have been appointed to areas that are outside the military controlled area.

M. Azwer (UNP - National list) said: Let us study the recommendations of the National Education Commission to stop the separation of schools on ethnic lines. If there are such suggestions these should be brought out to the open. Ethnic reconciliation cannot be achieved by banishing Muslim or Tamil schools. The report of the Education Commission have to be studied more openly. The education officers are on strike in Kalmunai over the leakage of G.C.E. A/L question papers (interruption by Minister of Education - I have requested the officials to reconduct the affected papers for these students after studying the leaked questions)

Sarath Amunugama (UNP - Kandy District) said: We all agree that the present education system should be changed. This necessity was evidenced by the Dudly Seers report in the 1970s and then Ranil Wickremasinghe’s White Paper on educational reforms and the present educational reforms that you are going to introduce.

According to the "The Island" article of Eric J. de Silva there are four types of schools now. They are type A and B. Type (c), the schools where there are classes upto ordinary level and the primary schools.

The first category has classes upto Advanced Level and teaches science art and commerce. They number 583 schools. There are 1628 C-type schools where only arts and commerce subjects are taught upto the advanced level. There are 3668 schools where there are classes only upto ordinary level. There are 4029 primary schools where there are classes upto grade 5.

If you are to implement the new proposals you must find 2000 schools where you are going to have classes from grade one to nine.

You must take under your purview technical education too. Otherwise you will not be able to combine the general education and scientific education.

Richard Pathirana (Minister of Education and Higher Education) winding up said: We are fortunate to receive the services of a professional of the calibre of Prof. Lakshman Jayatilleka. He would have received a more handsome amount had he been in service overseas or in any other institution of the country. The service rendered by Professor K. D. Arulparagasam and Dr. Tara de Mel is much appreciated as the committee requires full time commitment by these professionals.

The issues raised in this debate will no doubt help to alleviate the shortcomings on the education system.

Eighty four teachers training institutions will be established and the training for teachers in these institutions would prime them for the new educational reforms.

I would like to say that the Ministry does not interfere in teacher transfers. The reason for delay in providing uniform material is that due to popular demand we tried to secure tenders from local manufacturers. This was the cause of the delay.

We will not change the district quota systems. The Tamil students excel in the General Certificate exams. We have brought down the shortage of Tamil medium teachers from 11,000 in 1994 to 3,200 at present. We will fill the rest gradually. We have taken measures to improve education facilities in the plantation sector.

The resolution was passed.