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Synthetic text books: GMOA claims are baseless

13 June 2017 11:24 pm - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Rejecting claims made by Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) about school text books printed on synthetic paper, Assistant Commissioner General of the Educational Publications Department I.M.K.B. Ilangasinghe said the new text books did not cause health hazards.

GMOA’s Assistant Secretary Haritha Aluthge today claimed that the Education Ministry had distributed synthetic paper text books among students causing health hazards to children below 12 years of age.

He claimed the Education Ministry had printed more than 500,000 Geography text books at a cost of Rs.150 million to be used by grade seven students without considering the recommendations of the National Planning Department (NPD).

Mr. Ilangasinghe told the Daily Mirror, the Education Ministry had printed Polypropylene material books under the certificate of a doctor appointed by the Health Ministry and the Environmental Authority.

“The doctor had confirmed the synthetic paper text books were not harmful to children. The papers were imported from Japan under the SGS Certification. SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity,” he said.

SGS Certification confirms that a product does not contain any heavy metal that is harmful to children’s health.

“Even the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) has given the same certificate,” he said.

“The ink that is used to print the books is not toxic, therefore it is not hazardous even if a child occidentally consumed it. All the pages are fully laminated. Therefore, the books will not be damaged by water,” Mr. Ilangasinghe said.

He said the books could be used for five years. The usual textbooks that are given to school children cannot be used more than one year.

The Education Ministry distributed 500,000 books to school children as a pilot project since January this year.

He said so far no complaints have been received by the Ministry except for the GMOA.

“The claims made by the GMOA are false and baseless,” he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)


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  Comments - 16

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  • GC Wednesday, 14 June 2017 12:46 AM

    Polypropylene can be a fire and toxic smoke hazard, It can burn faster than paper and emit toxic fumes when burnt. Do our decision makers look at the whole picture or look only at the short term gain (for themselves?)

    Ram Wednesday, 14 June 2017 02:36 AM

    Is Zoysa retired hurt? We see a new Guy Aluthge being bowled out by Educational Publication Department bowler Illangasinghe. Who is next?

    Ranjitdea Wednesday, 14 June 2017 03:45 AM

    Our members will have a token strike next Monday if the synthetic text books are not withdrawn by this Friday - GMOA

    Dot Wednesday, 14 June 2017 05:24 AM

    ..I do not know why this long term investments on school text books for we know that the knowledge we have to day changes so fast that constant updating and review is now the valid approach to text books.. ..for todays information books become collectors tomorrow ..Geography related to earth science too changes so fast with our mega projects changing the physical structure of the planet ..Recycling would have been the better approach .We cannot give by gone data to our kids to educate them for the future .My text books used as a teacher are only of nostalgic value now ..five years indeed !

    Premalal Wednesday, 14 June 2017 06:06 AM

    GMOA can you please shut up for a few days we need a break.

    SL Wednesday, 14 June 2017 06:23 AM

    Good to hear that Gvt has done a third party inspection . Please publish the third party certification or give us the certification number so we can check and be convinced.As parents,we do have a concern on our kids health.We are fed up of chained lies by all concerned parties.

    RT D2 Wednesday, 14 June 2017 06:42 AM

    But it is OK to make children suffer at hospitals when these GMOA goons go on strike-not harmful!!!!!

    Lion Wednesday, 14 June 2017 06:45 AM

    This is all bull shit of this GMOA clan. What sympathy they have for people of this country. At a drop of a hat these heartless people go on strike penalizing poor people of this country. This issue is a latest farce of this blood suckers to get the sympathy of poor people of this country.

    ReaderD Wednesday, 14 June 2017 07:08 AM

    What are recommendations of National Planning Dept, Public should know them to determine if Education Dept has done wrong.

    ANTON Wednesday, 14 June 2017 07:21 AM

    SYNTHETIC RICE, SYNTHETIC BOOKS..... BECAUSE WE HAVE SYNTHETIC HEADS.

    ANTON Wednesday, 14 June 2017 08:30 AM

    WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL BAGS, PENS, SHOES ...... THEY ARE ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC AND RUBBER.

    SL Wednesday, 14 June 2017 09:07 AM

    Knowingly or unknowingly we are using plastic bags painted with lead contents. Gvt responsibility is to regulate it and safeguard kids exposing to them.

    ajith Wednesday, 14 June 2017 09:48 AM

    it is sure that ITI does not have the technology to check this type of advance material. But somehow they issue certificates. it is terrible.

    Selvyn Wednesday, 14 June 2017 04:22 PM

    These dirty bustards must be fixed through legal means. People are waiting for that opportunity via DM Android App

    ralahamy Wednesday, 14 June 2017 05:56 PM

    Zoysa and Herath are hiding their faces, because they cannot concentrate in their private practice.

    RT D23 Wednesday, 14 June 2017 08:34 PM

    The GMOA forgot about them!


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