Whither schools rugby?

What is often quoted and misquoted is the Education Ministry circular 20 of 2006 on admission to schools. Clause 18 of these circular deals with the admission of students to grade 12. Clause 21 deals with the duration a student can remain in the A Level class. It is these clauses that have been cited for cases of eligibility for staying in school and clearly applicable for the representation of the school in games such as rugby football. Then there is the clarification of the secretary ministry of education dated 1.09.2006. This would have allowed at least one student in this tale of eligibility to remain in school. The wise continued with the case and the judgment dated 14.12.2006 rules the student as not eligible. This is under appeal now. In the case of the other two it is a different issue and is being legally challenged.

Arising from the confusion prevailing there is a proposal to play the league in 3 groups as top ten in each group playing for the league title. No demotions no implication to the court action. This as new tournament was assumed will solve the issue at least temporarily till the final decision of the courts is known. I wondered whether the decision and or the solution will be reminiscent of Court of King Kekille. This was stated in my column of the 1st of April. I mentioned about the proposed action of the schools section to solve the issues arising from the impasse as a result of the schools that were to be punished challenging the action of the Schools Rugby Association. It is now said that at least one school is whispering loudly that they will not play the school that has been punished. There are others who say they will not play any of the schools that have been punished. Are we teach the children that dishonesty pays is the question asked.

The happenings and non happenings seem similar to the goings-on of the court of King Kekille. It seems we blame everybody for the action that was taken to suspend and or demote the schools concerned in order to justify the correctness of our action. This is while failing to understand and or acknowledge the acts that triggered off the events. What in reality lead to the schools being demoted? The opinion seems to be there is nothing wrong. It is the comma that is in the wrong place. It is that which gives a twisted slant to the story of who are at fault. This reminds me of an episode from the court of King Kekille as retold by K.S. Karunaratne in Folk Tales of Sri Lanka.

Once a robber broke into the King’s Palace but before he could get away, the King’s guards arrested and produced him before King Kekille. “So you had the audacity to rob any palace!” “Take him out now and cut off his head,” the King thundered. The robber mumbled, “Your Majesty, not me, the mason who built your palace is guilty of this offence? “Sir, he hasn’t built your palace properly and I was able to break down the wall and enter the palace.” The King thought and ordered his guards to bring the mason. Are you guilty of putting up the palace with inferior material the king asked? “No, Sir. My assistant who mixed cement and sand had used more sand and less cement is responsible for putting up a wall using more sand.” “Go and bring that fellow. I’ll teach him a good lesson”. When the mason’s assistant was produced before the King, he asked whether he was guilty of the offence. “No Sir, when I was mixing cement and sand, a beautiful girl was walking on the road. She distracted my attention.” The beautiful girl too was produced before the King in no time.

“Now, prepare to die. You have distracted the mason’s assistant’s attention when he was mixing cement and sand. “Your Majesty, if not for the goldsmith who had not delivered my jewels on the due date, I wouldn’t have passed this way”. Bring that goldsmith forthwith”, the King ordered. “You are the culprit. Why did you not give the jewels on time to this girl?” The executioner will cut off your head,” the King said. “Your Majesty, I’m a very thin man. I have no flesh in my body - only bones. If the executioner tries to cut off my head, the sword will break.” “So what do you suggest?”

“You’re Majesty, there’s a butcher in my village. He is very fat and your executioner can easily behead him. “That’s a valid argument,” said the King and ordered his guards to produce the butcher before him. “I know, you’re guilty of this offence”, the King told the butcher in a stern voice. “But, Sir, I haven’t done any wrong. Please don’t punish me.” “Enough of your pleadings!” said the King and looked at the executioner. The pot-bellied butcher was dragged out of the palace and put to death. The robber, the mason, his assistant, the girl and the goldsmith heaved a sigh of relief.

Some schools are protesting of the proposed format. They feel if schools have violated the rules they should be punished. Why should the others play against those that have been who are accused. The guilty seems to say we are not guilty. "He is being accused of staying in school when he is not supposed to stay” says the Chief Prosecutor.”Ah, that is a very serious offence, he has denied other students the opportunity of taking his place.” and the story goes on.