Powerless students

Chief Engineer of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Susantha Perera said the CEB has no plans to extend the power cuts but is considering reducing them. However, it is still premature to take a decision on it, he said

The CEB had originally proposed daytime power cuts but the industrial sector had objected. Since power consumption during the late night hours is less, the power cut needs to be imposed for a longer period to make a sufficient saving. In the absence of rain, the only alternative to power cuts is to hire generators. Having already spent massive amounts on this, the CEB, with an overdraft of Rs. 10 billion is not in a position to spend any more, he said.

"The problem is we did not take precautions. There is nothing we can do about the drought but we can make plans so that the increased demand can be met. But we only plan and present the plans to the authorities. Thereafter it is up to them to get the money and the approvals." The government policy of getting the private sector into power generation without proceeding with the CEB plans has also contributed to the present crisis, he said.

By Hiranthi Fernando

To be 'powerless' for eight hours of the day is frustrating. Electricity has become so much a part of our daily lives, that the current power cuts have played havoc with our routine. Particularly hit are the children, that segment of the population, little considered by the policy makers, but nevertheless so important.

Students preparing for the GCE O/Level and A/Level examinations are badly affected, says T. Jayasena, Deputy Principal of St. Sylvester's College, Kandy. "They have projects to carry out and exercises which need to be done daily, to prevent them falling back in their work. Some children try to adjust sleep and study according to the power cuts, but the majority find it very hard."

"I cannot concentrate on my studies," complains Nilani, a Colombo schoolgirl. "It's not only studies, I can't do any task continuously. It is very difficult to manage one's usual routine. Our eyes are also affected, studying in bad light. We also find it so very hard to get any sleep at night with the mosquitoes," she said.

The mosquito menace also troubles A/Level student, Dharini. "We can't concentrate or even have a peaceful sleep at night. I think the government should consider daytime power cuts only and not in the night."

"We feel sleepy and too tired to go to school," said Indrani. "Before the power goes you waste time in anticipation. Also it is hard to adjust yourself and maintain a routine because the times are changed every day."

Another youngster Menaka missed her leisure, more than anything else. "I relied on an hour or two of relaxation watching TV or playing computer games, which is all gone now."

School principals and teachers overall confirmed that students have a hard time coping with the current power cuts.The Principal of Asoka Vidyalaya, D.M. Gunadasa said the number of children who completed their homework had dropped sharply since the eight-hour power cuts were introduced. "We had a meeting of the Teachers' Council and decided we should not be too strict on those who couldn't complete their homework," Mr. Gunadasa said. The latecomers' line at school assembly too had increased sharply, he commented. "I myself find it difficult to sleep without a fan in this heat, so I can understand that it is hard for the children to be punctual after a sleepless night. The power cuts have created problems for the management, teachers and children."

Kumari, a primary school teacher at Ratnavali BMV, Colombo, said homework was badly affected. "By the time the children go home, bathe and change it is evening. Some of them do not know when the power cut will be." She finds they are tired and sleepy in school. "In Colombo, they are used to fans and so they can't sleep with the heat and the mosquitoes. Some children come from far and when they leave home in the morning, it is still dark, which also raises safety concerns."

Many mothers are also finding that the power cuts play havoc with their busy schedule of household chores, she said. "Mothers find it difficult to prepare the food for their children in the morning with the early power cuts. What's more, in some homes, children have only one or two uniforms, so the daily round of washing and morning ironing is impossible. Children being very sensitive often refuse to come to school in unironed uniforms," she said.

"We realise the difficulties the children face and we treat them sympathetically," said Kumudhini an upper school teacher at Ratnavali BMV. "However, we have to give homework and assessment tests." Teachers too have a difficult time correcting books and preparing their lessons for the next day, while coping with their domestic chores, she added.

At Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo, Vice Principal Yasa de Silva said although the power cuts affect the children badly, they have so far managed to keep to their syllabuses. "Ours are mostly scholarship children and they use kerosene lamps or candles to do their homework. They have accepted the situation." Vice Principal of St. Joseph's College, Ms. Nimal Perera on the other hand, said she finds homework and studies not being completed. "Boys sometimes use the power cut as an excuse as well, but the power cuts have affected teachers too, because they correct papers and prepare their lessons at that time," she said.

Children in rural areas seem to be less affected by the night power cuts because they are not accustomed to fans. C.P.S. Kumarihamy, Principal of Sri Sumangala MV in Nuwara Eliya said some of the children in her school come from areas with no electricity, so the power cut makes no difference to them." The children from the urban areas are affected. It disrupts their studies and their homework.

However, we have been urging them to face the obstacles and do their work." She herself sleeps when the power cut is on in the evening and gets up when the lights come on to complete her work.

A parent of two primary schoolchildren, Mrs. N. Perera said they have stopped all their children's extra curricular activities temporarily. She said the children find it very difficult to cope with the heat and lack of proper sleep. Fortunately, she said the teachers in her children's school have taken the situation into consideration and reduced the homework.

But the question all parents are asking is: How long will the children, especially those facing major examinations have to see their education hampered, thanks to the inefficiency and corruption of those in charge of providing this vital service?

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