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Teaching students from Grades 1-5 in English should stop: Ven. Ratana Thera

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16 March 2019 12:28 pm - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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National List MP Venerable Athuraliye Ratana Thera yesterday urged the government to stop teaching school children from grades one to five in the English medium.

Speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget in parliament, the Venerable Thera said Sri Lanka is currently following a concept which is not followed in any other country of providing primary education in another language other than the child’s mother tongue.

“If a child is given a primary education in a language other than their mother tongue, that child would not be a citizen of that country,” the Venerable Thera said. The Thera said it is important to regulate international schools, as well as such schools, can be run by anyone without any standards being adhered to. Therefore, the Thera said it is important to regulate them.

Making another suggestion, he said education should be a component which builds national unity. Accordingly, he said children in the North and the East should be provided education in Tamil, while children in other areas should be allowed to have their education in Sinhala.

Additionally, the majority of Tamils and Muslims who reside in areas other than the North and the East can be provided an education in Sinhala as a majority of them are fluent in the Sinhala language.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 12

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  • SUMEXCHEN Sunday, 17 March 2019 06:00 AM

    True. It is a must to have a good understanding in the mother language during childhood.

    Christopher Sunday, 17 March 2019 06:25 AM

    Thank you thero for helping to make this country a loner among the international community and breeding a bunch of idiots, even some of our educated ones talk less than perfect grammar. So just imagine what happens if we follow your lead. Ever heard of freedom of choice?

    Someone Sunday, 17 March 2019 06:35 AM

    Follow the Singapore model. Let's not move backwards.

    Chandi Sunday, 17 March 2019 07:46 AM

    Dear ven.Rathana Thera, this comment made by you reflects your immaturity in understanding the situation. As future oriented citizens we should consider the future of our children rather than being a citizen in Sri Lanka. Are you saying that those who learn English from grade 1 to 5 are not citizens in Sri Lanka? Before you make such stupid comments you should come out of the box that you live in.

    Peter Vandasay Sunday, 17 March 2019 08:02 AM

    This is excellent news. I think a Sinhala Buddhist country should not have English come and take over this land .

    Sriskand Subramaniam Sunday, 17 March 2019 08:30 AM

    What is wrong with Saadhu ?Convince us.

    Sri Lankan Sunday, 17 March 2019 08:48 AM

    That is why this thero can't speak proper English. Go and speak to someone overseas workers who are highly intelligent and see how they work as labourers or housemaids while Indian's and Bangladeshis get higher jobs because of the language.

    Ashok Sunday, 17 March 2019 09:14 AM

    Yes Very Good Idea, As of Now Are Youth Are Struggling To Fill The Embarkation Form @ The Airport, This Will Solve The Problem I Guess??

    S.sangaralingham Sunday, 17 March 2019 09:15 AM

    If possible and no concern finding adequate staff all lanka schools should start teaching both national languages and English. Younger minds are faster grasping languages easily than older one. There is often opposition in any society as well finding good teaching staff is difficult. Education to stimulate mind and thoughts. Earlier the better

    Sammy Sunday, 17 March 2019 09:23 AM

    Before the Swabhasha rule was brought in Sri Lankans studied in the English medium from Grade 1. There was greater patriotism then and the mother tongue was not neglected.

    upula Sunday, 17 March 2019 09:31 AM

    "rajo haranan, rajo haranan" please leave the human contact and leave to a jungle Ven.. Ratana thera Sri Lanka is no more a place for kids when they grow up because of politicians and 2-dimensional visionaries like you. What will they do with Sinhala? Be employed at the Parliament? Take it to your head that our children have to study in English and leave elsewhere for better prospects, a successful future.

    Ghost Monday, 18 March 2019 08:32 AM

    Can Ven. Rathana Thera speak any English, let alone understan it???


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