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Morning Spice by Ginger
Sri Lankan innovationMissiles can be flying over you and shells bursting around you but if you are a real Lankan or a self respecting Sri Lankan you would not allow a buck to slip through your fingers. Now take the case of Sri Lankans who wasted no time in removing what ever they could from their employers during the Gulf war as some fled Kuwait when Iraq was invading it. Ginger is bringing up the subject due to some recent detections.
Sri Lankan housewives proved that they were not lacking in guts if big money was involved. They just swiped as much as they could even though the invaders were almost on them. It may have been either avarice or revenge but few left abandoned homes empty handed. Now this leads us all to one thought. If we could be all that innovative to convert others property to one-self under such conditions could we not use the resources around us to get the maximum out of them. The tragedy is that the right values have never been drilled into us at any stage of our history. The drawback has been the lack of someone to lead from front on this issue.
Salt — just a pinch
I wonder who coined the phrase "He is not worthy of his salt" or ‘the salt of the earth’ salt no longer is among things rated high in the estimation of what adds to the quality life. The medical profession has relegated it to the bottom of the scale. Salt according to them is bad for your pressure as well as other things. Salt is a pariah.All this while however we all felt that taking it easy on salt was a precaution you should take as you approach middle age. Now they say infants too will do well to have tasteless meals. Now it has been discovered that infants whose intake of salt was less than half a tea spoon a day had less pressure fifteen years later than those who ate thrice as much.
Katharine Hepburn
Can you remember Katharine Hepburn. She turned 90 last year. There were besides the parties to celebrate the event a few books on the great actress which gave out a few secrets about her personal life. A book that would have roused considerable interest was the "affair to remember" by Christ Anderson.The book contains a rather interesting story. Evidently the FBI chief Edgar Hoover had wanted to expose a clandestine affair between Hepburn and Spence Tracy all due to Hepburns opposition to the House Un-American Activities Committee. He was persuaded not to do so by a young member of the committee — no less a person than Richard Nixon.
Deaf teacher seeks financial help to study in US
I have now received information of my acceptance as a student at the Gallaudet University in Washington, which is the only Liberal Arts University for the Deaf in the World, but as the costs are prohibitive for me to meet by myself, I write to enquire if it is possible for you to help me by publishing this letter in your newspaper either as a news item or as a letter to the Editor so that anyone who may be interested could send me at least a part of the cost to enable me to follow the course of studies at this University and be better equipped in relation to my career as a teacher. (My Gallaudet Student Identification number is : 23948).
My initial education was at the Sandagala School for the Deaf and the Blind, Uhumiya, Kurunegala and also Ratmalana School for the Deaf. I am keen to enhance my educational ability as it should stand me in good stead in my present position as a Teacher. I am currently an Assistant Teacher assigned to teach English and Sign Language to Deaf students at Sandagala School.
My intention is to follow a comprehensive course of studies, the total cost of which would amount to approximately US $ 20, 166 for an academic year and I plan to gain admittance by January 1999.
I will be grateful and would appreciate it very much if any of your readers could kindly send donation, big or small, to help me with my intention as this is a request from a deaf person who is trying hard with much perseverance to enhance his educational attainments. Contributions may please be credited to K. P. L. Thilakasiri — Scholarship Fund Account No: 02-5115601-9 at Hatton National Bank Ltd, No. 8, St. Anne’s .Street, Kurunegala.
I had already received some contributions towards this cause and would be grateful for any further help.
K. P. Lakshman Thilakasiri
Kurunegala
Charity should begin at Peradeniya Science Faculty
"Educationists, teachers and others who are interested in the system of education, no doubt, will agree that assessments or examinations are very important part and parcel of any educational system.’
It was with mixed feelings that I read this highlighted passage from Professor R. P. Gunawardena’s letter in the Island of 6.10. 98. titled Streamlining national examinations. As I went on to read the text of the article I was greatly impressed by the very constructive suggestions put forward by him. He seems to have a very good insight in to the depths to which an examination, not properly conducted, can slide down thus affecting the candidates, when he says that an important examination ‘decides the future of the younger generation’. How true! I cannot agree with him more! He has taken great pains to itemize the problems which confront the national examinations of Sri Lanka. Here I wish to state that many of the problems which the Dean mentions such as
1. Setting of incorrect questions
2. Setting questions outside the syllabus
3. Setting questions in subject areas outside the limits in the teacher guides
4. Setting multiple choice questions with more than one correct answer
5. Wrong translation of questions into Tamil/Sinhala and discrepancies of the papers in the three media.
6. Rigid marking scheme where marks are not given to other feasible answers.
7. Setting questions straight from books written by setter/controlling chiefs .... and so on and so forth - are in fact due to the irresponsible manner in which University teachers themselves engage in these activities. It is they who set the question papers, provide guidelines, act as chief examiners and supervise the marking examiners. I strongly feel therefore that most of these are problems that should be addressed by the Dean and his colleagues in the universities. However my intention in writing this is not to point out the shortfalls in his suggestions with regard to national examinations but rather to suggest that the Dean and his colleagues in the Faculty of Science at Peradeniya put their house in order before putting forward remedial measures in areas which are outside their domain. The Dean pontificates on the shortcomings of the OL and AL examinations which lead to a situation where he says ‘the whole future of a student can be seriously affected’. I personally feel from experience with regard to an examination matter relating to the Faculty of Science at Peradeniya that a much worse situation prevails at the faculty of science which is functioning under him.As a responsible citizen, a retired teacher and a parent I wish to present here some facts which should be shared with the larger community. While conceding that I am no authority on education I feel that there is a serious malaise affecting university examinations. My observations are mainly derived from the situation that prevails at the Faculty of Science, Peradeniya, with regard to examinations.
Firstly, I would like to give a picture of the dilemma faced by a student who is not satisfied with the results released by the authorities with regard to his performance at an examination. The national examinations which the Dean says needs restructuring provides ample opportunity for a discontented candidate to ask for a re-scrutiny of his paper whereas under the university set up it is an unheard of request. Let me explain the plight of a student who genuinely feels that he deserves a higher grade and starts to voice his concern. He would undoubtedly first discuss his problem with his friends who would know his standard of general performance. "Rescrutiny? They do not allow it!", would be their first response. "Have you not heard what happened when so and so appealed years ago? She even tried to file a case?". muster up", he tells himself "I might as well see what happens by approaching the Head of the Department through a responsible person". He does exactly that. "I will see in to the matter and let you know", a message comes back from the Head. So he awaits the reply which unfortunately never arrives. Then he tries again. This time to the Dean, a written appeal explaining his case. It is quite possible that after the lapse of about two weeks for him to get a reply from the Dean where he says " I have gone in to all the details of this examination and examined the mark sheets of all the papers in connection with the examination. I find that the marking and all entries are in order and there were no errors. Can the Dean whose specialized knowledge is limited to an area, say for instance chemistry, do this if the appeal has been made by a student specializing in say physics ? I doubt it. To top it all he may even say, "I have also inquired this matter from the Head and other relevant examiners to ascertain the facts. I am satisfied that no injustice has been meted out to you. It would be hilarious if it is not pathetic, when you consider the shattering of hopes of the student when he receives this ridiculous response from the Dean. Would any sane person refer to the same "relevant examiners to see whether any injustice has been done?"
When an appeal to the Dean lands the student in the situation where he may have doubts about the ability of the authorities at the Science Faculty to address a problem, he may take the ultimate step of appealing to the Vice Chancellor. Wait... One week... two... another... for ever! Nothing happens. A loud silence... the death knell to all hopes of continuing his studies. Who cares? Educationists? Teachers ? Others interested in the system of education ?
Why does this happen? There may be many reasons. This is something that can happen at the faculty of science at Peradeniya. It has happened, and it will go on happening unless .... "Educationists, teachers and others who are interested in the system of education" take notice. What is happening around us? Are we going to allow this to continue?
"Better give it up now. You will not get even a letter of recommendation. The student is advised by knowing people. It is true. His temporary post at the university is terminated. To apply for an outside job there no one to him a letter of recommendation. Of course there are a few responsible teachers with a very high degree of integrity who will come to his rescue but even they would not like to get involved, as a writer to ‘The Island’ had recently mentioned "to avoid unpleasantness at the work place". Here I would like to say that as that writer had stated, when there are allegations against certain individuals or institutions the least the authorities can do is to appoint a commission of inquiry where the victims are given an opportunity to air their grievances and accused are legally bound to appear before it and defend themselves. Such a commission with regard to university examinations is a must. The situation with regard to the plight of students has been overlooked for so long that university authorities seem to have glided into the misconception that they can do anything and get away with it.
According to university regulations undergraduate answer scripts have to be examined by two independent examiners, ideally by an internal examiner and subsequently by an external examiner. I have reason to believe that this does not always happen at the faculty of science, Peradeniya. Very often an eminent person is named and approved as an external examiner who probably is not aware of the actual situation. According to my view names of eminent professors in foreign universities are approved for the dual purpose of impressing outsiders and for covering up the misdeeds of internal examiners. If any one is interested in getting at into the truth of this he may go through the minutes of the Senate and check whether those eminent persons are at least aware that they serve as external examiners to the faculty of science, Peradeniya.
The Dean speaks of the necessity of maintaining secrecy in the examinations at OL and AL. I fully agree with him if it will always be in the interests of the student. If it becomes a screen for the examiners to cover up their mistakes, then I say NO! We need openness.
Examiners even within the university are only human beings. They can and do make mistakes. Some of them may be suffering from all kinds of complexes. Some may be revengeful, others envious and greedy for power and self aggrandizement.
My last appeal is again to all educationists, teachers and those interested in the system of education in Sri Lanka to be cautious of wolves in sheep’s clothing, not to be gullible when ideas are put forward in the "interest of the future generation" but read between the lines. There may be ulterior motives behind some of these new ideas. My appeal also goes to all parents and teachers to discuss the truth and validity of what I have written with their own children and their past students. If you have their trust and confidence the truth will come out readily. You will then realize the tragedy in university examinations.
What we need therefore is not secrecy in examinations but transparency and openness. The right of a student to seek redress where he feels victimized must be an integral part of any examination procedure.
Mrs. C. W. Gunawardena,
Kandy.
Listening to a Dhamma Sermon over the Radio, I heard a Venerable Thero explaining how Siyam Nikaya came to be a Govi Caste monopoly.
During the times Kings ruled Lanka, according to the learned Thero, Siyam Nikaya was open to all Buddhists for ordination and higher ordination, devoid of caste distinction. However, when a King noticed that whenever he appeared before the Sangha, the Bhikkus of the so-called lower castes, rose in their seats, the King had ruled that the Siyam Nikaya should be reserved for the Govi Caste only.
Two issues emerge from this statement. On the one hand, why the Sangha rose in their seats in the presence of the King, was invariably due to the wrong training and instructions they had received from the Nayake Theros, under whom they functioned, and on the other, without having corrected the wrong behaviour, the Nayake Theros to have bowed to the King’s order that went against the Buddhist philosophy was again subservient behaviour and amounted to breaking Vinaya Rules.
Learned Bikkhus delivering Dhamma Talks should therefore not come out with such stories merely to justify casteism followed by the Siyam Nikaya. The Sangha, in fact, should campaign against the continuation of such practices.
Upali S. Jayasekera
New Administr-ation under People’s Alliance came to power in the Matara Urban Council on 15th April 1997 and it completes 1 1/2 years by now. I am of the opinion that the following matters should be attended to promptly. Urban Council could not complete the construction works of Medagoda Super Market and Kotuwegoda Shopping Complex (1st Floor) during this period and also they have not taken steps to complete the construction of the Town Hall which people have been expecting for a long period.
I understand no new drains were constructed and no necessary steps to eradicate mosquito menace. Street lights are not functioning in the Matara town. I can say finally that there is no improvement and development in the town during this period.
Therefore I hope that the Chairman, Opposition leader and Members of the council will do the needful in this matter.
M. Munzeer Haniffa J.P.
Ex. Member of U.C.
Referring to Mr.V.G.Kossa’s Comments on the aboveo subject, it seems that there are still some that think that a driving licence of any standard ensures that the driver will abide by the road rules for the rest of his driving life. Rigid and constant traffic law enforcement in almost all countries proves that that falacy has been aborted.
If there is a problem, solve it. Excuses perpetuate it. Re-employing retired traffic trained Police Officers will help.
Noel Barsenbach
Gen. Secretary
CESPA
I read in one of the dailies that a calf has been brought from a slaughter house and it is handed over to Elders Home to look after.
Indeed this is a meritorious deed and anyone will definitely praise such an act especially in a country like Sri Lanka where predominantly the majority of the population is Buddhist.
Most of the time we notice that only a cow or a calf is being bought and saved from the slaughter house. At the same time we notice that pigs whether big or small are also slaughtered in our country and they are slaughtered mostly in inhumane way. But I have not seen anybody raising a cry or saving this innocent animal from slaughtering. Like a cow or calf this animal is slaughtered and its flesh is sold at meat stalls and elsewhere. So why is that most of the time only a cow or a calf is being saved from slaughtering. Why not these people buy and save the lives of pigs, goats, hens, etc. which are being slaughtered daily for human consumption.
S. Ariyaratne
