Digital Print-Outs: A Needless Burden on Parents and Students

In recent times, it has become a growing practice for teachers, particularly in Montessori and primary classes, to request computer print-outs via WhatsApp. These requests often arrive late in the afternoon, with parents expected to provide the print-outs by the very next morning. By then, most print shops are closed, leaving parents in a difficult position.

Worse still, many of these assignments could easily be completed by hand, allowing children to develop their writing and drawing skills. By insisting on printed sheets, the following disadvantages arise:

Students’ natural skills in handwriting and drawing are stifled.

Families incur unnecessary expenses.

Parents are subjected to needless inconvenience, often having to rush to print shops at short notice.

I request that teachers provide at least 24 hours’ notice for any print-out requirement and to avoid insisting on them when handwritten work would suffice. More importantly, I hope Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, who also oversees the Education Ministry, will intervene to address this growing problem that burdens parents and undermines children’s skill development.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo