Only three ministers had back bones to take pragmatic decisions

20 January 2012 08:45 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There were only three education ministers who had a spine to take pragmatic decisions and a vision for national education in Sri Lanka who were C.W.W. Kannangara, I.M.R.A. Iriyagolla and Richard Pathirana, Small Crops Exports Minister Reginald Cooray said.

Addressing a ceremony held at the Matugama C.W.W. Kannangara Maha Vidyalaya to mark the admission of Grade 1 students to schools this year in the Matugama educational zone, Minister Cooray who is also a former education minister said the education system in the country during colonial era had been centred in favour of elite classes until Mr. Kannangara introduced free education.

“Thousands of children of down trodden families were able to get a better education and enter universities under the free education system that led to a huge social and cultural transformation as a result.
“Many of the professionals such as scientists, doctors, engineers, administrators and technocrats who are serving the country and world are the direct benefits of our free education,” Minister Cooray stressed.

“It is the responsibility of all, the government and the education authorities to carry forward the policies of Mr. Kannangara to develop the country’s education system. Education ministers must act with commitment and dedication to achieve these objectives, he added.
Education is not meant only to pass examinations and obtain certificates but to create useful and law abiding citizens with moral values.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana was also present at the event. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 19

loku Saturday, 21 January 2012 07:41 AM

Are the bio-datas of all ministers, especially those of the ministries connected with education, published and available to citizens and interested persons?

mahinda palihena Monday, 23 January 2012 08:02 AM

Sir,You are educated and done a lot for the education in western province. Please see to what extent your secretaris have educated and low abiding. There are many idiots aruond you make you fool

loku Sunday, 22 January 2012 09:37 AM

Yes, where is the bio-data?

naswaf Sunday, 22 January 2012 08:17 AM

well said sir.....proud of u......u have done a lot to western province....

manike Sunday, 22 January 2012 08:01 AM

In today's Observer minister of education, Mr. Bandula Gunawardena says there is nothing wrong with the z-scores.

KD Sunday, 22 January 2012 07:04 AM

That's a very simple generalization Small Crops Exports Minister Reginald Cooray makes here. How can you forget statemen such as Dr. Badiuddin Mahmud (Former Minister of education) who did a vast amount of work for Sri Lankan education? If you name names make sure you add all the names not just a selected few. Lest we forget!

AUJ Sunday, 22 January 2012 03:22 AM

He seems to have a solid backbone.Let him show it to the Big Boss and ask for the portfolio.

prem Sunday, 22 January 2012 02:23 AM

Whay is the qualification of the minister of education ans higher education other than the big mouths?

Ranjan P N Saturday, 21 January 2012 10:26 PM

As far as Z score calculation is concerned decimal points cannot be ignored. 0.5 differences in mean values and standard deviations makes it impossible to pool them using a combined mean due to the fact that Island ranks are based on z scores, and a difference in a decimal points in Z score could have large errors on Island ranks. Differences in Island ranks can be 500 or 1000 ranks below similar results in two examinations. Depending on the raw marks in different subjects and depending on differences in mean values in different subjects irregular z scores can be received by candidates. It is a real mess up in a disorderly manner students from both examinations can be affected in a disorderly manner.

AMG Saturday, 21 January 2012 07:53 AM

what about you sir?

DingDon Saturday, 21 January 2012 01:40 AM

Alas how many of these educated law abiding citizens are in the present parliament?

ISMATH MOHOMED Saturday, 21 January 2012 05:45 AM

I am proud of you Mr Minister .You are so silient Last few months We want you to Advice your colegue SB He don't have Vision for Student matters

prem Saturday, 21 January 2012 05:50 AM

What minister Bandula has to say on this comment?

Labby Saturday, 21 January 2012 05:47 AM

And what was Bandula Gunawardena's response to this ?

Nodrog Saturday, 21 January 2012 04:05 AM

Those days ministers had back-bones unlike the spine-less, Yes-men variety of today.

mannie99 Saturday, 21 January 2012 03:52 AM

I agree with the minister about Education is not meant only to pass examinations and obtain certificates but to create useful and law abiding citizens with moral values.

What has our education system done? people are not abiding by the laws and moral values among sri lankans are deteriorating!!!

sanath bandara Saturday, 21 January 2012 03:21 AM

HE ALWAYS SPEAKS THROUGH HIS TONGUE BUT I CAN NOT TOLERATE HIS ACCENT

S.Hettige Saturday, 21 January 2012 03:28 AM

No doubt the free education is a source of social and cultural transformation, but what are you going to do with about 80% of A/L students who can't get in to public universities in Sri Lanka? Haven't we created another privileged class with about 20% intake to public universities? (my numbers need to be verified)

ABC Saturday, 21 January 2012 02:17 AM

Minister Reginald Cooray does not speak about 90% of qualified for the university entrance can not entered due to this free education system. Most of students willing to do therir higher studies. But, they can not go abroad. Why any goverment did not adress this issue? Five new state universities have established under the Richard Pathirana's period. Goverment has to open new universities or facilitate to open private universities with good quality or setup foreign universities' campuses.

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Only three ministers had back bones to take pragmatic decisions

Comments - 19

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