Let us defeat the fear psychosis and encourage students get back to schools and universities!
View(s):Speaking to a cross section of teachers, parents and children in the heart of Colombo, it was evident that most of them were victims of diverse stories and interpretations that were counter- productive to their own welfare. Some have been so short sighted and become victims of their own interpretations. Some understood matters more rationally that there is also a political conspiracy hatched by disgruntled politicians, that Sri Lanka will never be a safe place again, if the present government continues. The only hope such elements had was to exploit the extremist attacks to the maximum as chances would be so bleak for them to gain power, if stability is restored. They happened to be those who consulted astrologers as to when elections should be held when they were in power.
Especially at a time when all countries big and small, including the United States of America, United Kingdom and European Union States etc. have been victims of international terrorism of ISIS, the answer for our parents should not be how fast they could send their children abroad for safety, but how fast we could strengthen their minds to be brave and realistic. After all, despite terrorist attacks, children of intelligent parents should not be encouraged to keep away from schools and universities as that is an equally dangerous form of terrorism, known as “Psychological Terrorism”. This affects the whole life of a person.
Need to be rational and realistic in building a stronger citizenry
There is no doubt that Sri Lankans at large need to be not only alert and awake but be a rational and an intelligent people. “Mindlessness” cannot be an answer to destruction caused by extremist elements. Mindlessness breeds greater uncertainties in every sector, creating stress and anxieties that none could eliminate. It is good to remember that Sri Lanka had a world record for highest level suicides and also alcohol consumption not so long ago, because we have a weak citizenry; weak in mind and body.
-By Dr. Mahim Mendis
Member, Academic Affairs Board, National Institute of Education & Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies Open University of Sri Lanka
Parents of school going children need to be wiser as what they say and do should be helpful to their own children. The challenge is to build trust in institutions without undermining the Police and the armed forces as well as the school authorities about safety measures. After all, the truth is that the Police and the armed forces continue to do their best to restore normalcy with better enforcement of law and order. They too have children.
The people, including you and me should be alert and awake to the best of our ability without expecting anyone to perform magic. The terrorists only expect to see a defeated nation, defeated in mind and spirit, with enormous fear instilled in children, youth and adults, so that they would grow as weaklings.
Eliminating all forms of racism and fundamentalist thinking from our people
To be true to the teachings of Buddha, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed and all other great teachers and philosophers in Hinduism and other religions, who explained the purpose of life to mankind forms a spiritual foundation for a healthy mind. Mere materialistic reasoning, on how we could make profit at whatever continued to cost our people the very essence of humanity. It looks like that our society is taking pride in beastly thinking and all are at the receiving end of their own creations.
Addressing a Press Conference of the Federation of University Teachers (FUTA), on 16th May 2019 at Center for Society and Religion, I raised the issue that we have been indifferent to all types of extremist groups operating in the name of the devil, that we Sri Lankans have been gladly tolerating as an essential feature for development. This is in a country that proclaims Buddhism as the State religion with the Head of State taking charge of this Ministry. Similar extremist groups operate in all the communities amongst us, and we as weaklings have been tolerating them.
The cry of academics for better infrastructure for schools and universities
The academic community of Sri Lanka has repeatedly explained to the national leadership that the government on behalf of the state should invest at least 6% of the GDP on human and physical infrastructure development in education. We also wanted the citizens of this country to be adequately interested in schools and universities that educate their children.
That is the only way the country would have a better future. If the younger generation is deprived of the highest qualified men and women as teachers, both in schools and universities, we would only end up with a generation of weaklings, who would fail to separate right from wrong. The physical infrastructure involves not only the security of these schools and universities, but also infrastructure that will help to develop the mind, body and spirit (their ethos with grand principles of life). At this moment, what the schools and universities do not possess are not only libraries and infrastructure for sports and physical development, but also basic amenities like decent toilets.
Appeal of university academics to parents and teachers against racism and fundamentalism
It is our humble plea as academics of Sri Lankan universities that parents and teachers of Sri Lanka with school going children should be extra mindful of their own fundamentalist and racist thinking. Naturally, the sentiments rooted in racism start basically from homes where primary socialization into a value system takes place. We who inculcate racist and fundamentalist thinking in children, ironically expect teachers as well as from the clergy and the political leaders to perform miracles in eliminating such destructive tendencies.
Let us be those who are prepared for soul searching with a greater sense of humility. After all the governments that we elect are only a mirror reflection of either a foolish people or an enlightened people. Hence the words of the Irish Poet Bernard Shaw that the people get the government they deserve!!! That applies to the Sri Lankan opposition too.