Education Reforms bound to create conflicts between parents and children: Cardinal

By Yohan Perera   

The Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has warned that the education reforms proposed by the government could create conflict between parents and children and weaken family bonds.   

Addressing a service at St. Joseph’s Church in Hanwella over the weekend, Cardinal Ranjith said the proposed reforms would encourage children to challenge parental authority and traditional values. “The education reforms being introduced by the government will create conflicts between children and their parents,” he said.   

“Children are encouraged to adopt certain behaviours and are made to focus excessively on their rights. This will inevitably lead to tension between parents and their children.”The Cardinal stressed that parents have a fundamental right to instill moral and ethical values in their children and cautioned political leaders against overstepping that role.   

“We would like to inform all politicians that they should engage only in what they are entrusted to do,” he said. “They must not undermine the rights of parents to guide their children morally. In Sri Lanka, there are established norms related to marriage and family life that have been shaped by Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Islamic traditions.”   

Cardinal Ranjith also expressed concern over the influence of international organisations on local education policy.“One cannot blindly follow the United Nations and its affiliated organisations, which promote certain social practices such as birth control and alternative lifestyles,” he said.   

“Through these education reforms, children as young as six are being encouraged to adopt ideas and behaviours that are inappropriate for their age.”He added that Sri Lanka should not compromise its cultural and religious values in return for financial assistance.“We cannot accept these teachings simply because such organisations provide funding,” the Cardinal said.