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to the Editor |
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Chemistry graduate:
The cost formula The graduateship
course in chemistry was an admirable initiative made possible, largely
due to the energy and enthusiasm of Prof. Fernando. The course was
intended to "provide a second opportunity to the adults, mature
persons, late developers and those in middle-level employment to
better their prospects and upgrade their marketability". It
offers a professional qualification in chemistry that should not
be confused with the academic degrees offered at state universities. The four-year
graduateship programme, conducted on Saturdays and Sundays, offers
courses in different areas of chemistry and modules in information
technology, biotechnology, management studies and business studies.
The B. Sc. Chemistry Special Degree at the state universities is
a full-time four-year course of study in chemistry that also includes
three years of study in a subsidiary subject such as mathematics,
physics, computer science and biology and a third subject. Each
subject (except mathematics) also includes a practical component
conducted at an appropriate level. At Peradeniya, students may also
offer a combination of minor subjects such as management, economics,
food science or bio-statistics. With the introduction of the course
units system, many other subject options are now available. Prof. Fernando
claims that the cost of producing a "graduate chemist"
under the graduateship course is much less than producing a chemistry
special degree graduate under the university system, and that the
universities at Colombo and Peradeniya are only capable of producing
about 25 chemistry special degree graduates annually. It is likely
that many more could be produced at Peradeniya (and at Colombo)
if it was possible for such courses to be conducted and completed
within two days of each week. However, at Peradeniya, the Chemistry
Department has been interested in the quality of the graduates produced.
Therefore, our resources have been used to provide a specialized
training in chemistry to a limited number of students. The Department
of Chemistry at Peradeniya is convinced that the resources available
are insufficient to offer, to all and sundry, the specialized training
that constitutes a Special Degree in Chemistry. Prof. Fernando also
states that at the Institute of Chemistry lecturers with Ph.D. degrees
conduct classes. No mention is made that this is possible only because
of the university system in Sri Lanka. The majority of Ph.D. holders
who conduct lectures, for the Institute of Chemistry during weekends,
is paid salaries by the universities. Many honorary tasks are also
undertaken by the university staff. During postgraduate training,
these lecturers were supported by the universities, enabling them
to obtain their Ph.D. degrees. The Institute
of Chemistry pays these lecturers, by the hour for their services.The
cost of supporting and training lecturers is borne by the university
system and this has probably, been included by Prof. Fernando, when
estimating the cost of producing a chemistry special degree graduate
at a Sri Lankan university. Not even a single Ph.D. holder is employed
full time by the Institute of Chemistry. Therefore, it is not surprising
that the Institute of Chemistry is able to produce "graduate
chemists" at a moderate cost. It is clear that the university
system is subsidizing the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon. Education tied
up in red tape A scheme trapped
in red tape has been introduced with regard to the distribution
of uniforms for schools. With the intention of saving a few million
rupees, the officials are compelling parents, mostly the poor and
disadvantaged to fill several forms and submit them to many offices,
collect cards of different colours from another office and go to
the Grama Niladharis to collect the uniform. All this hassle
is to collect the uniform material, which earlier was given in schools.
Surely, the money spent on forms and cards could have been set off
against the millions they are supposed to have saved. What about
the expenditure on bus fares and the other inconveniences to go
through ? Meanwhile,
the primary reforms in Gampaha finished its cycle in December 2002.
In January 2003, these children who were taught under the reforms
should have entered Grade 6 classrooms that were especially prepared
for them. But no such preparation was made. The money allocated
for classroom development has been pruned severely. The investment
of five years in grooming children and developing them has come
to naught. Unless the
Grade 6 classes and teachers are prepared well this year, the children
completing Grade 5 in 2003 in the entire country will face a fate
similar to their peers in Gampaha. Similarly,
the Navodya school development programme has been halted. The new
changes that were to come on board in 2002 in relation to IT and
English, are not happening. Nor did the school-based management
programme that was planned like many other new schemes take place. To cap it all,
even the textbooks have not reached the children on time. We have
been reading of the ideal education system - but today, I am sure,
most will agree that it is a nightmare that we and our children
are facing. It’s the
time for flowers, fragrant air and golden paddy Timely action
may prevent ecological disaster When motor
boats go at high speed using higher horse power engines, heavy waves
are created. These dash against the mangroves which are the breeding
grounds of prawn and small fish and also the prawn traps. The fishermen
have made representations to the Balapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha requesting
the use of less powerful motor boats. It is heartening
that in a recent programme on Rupavahini, the Pradeshiya Sabha had
announced that prompt action would be taken against operators who
use powerful motor boats. The Balapitiya
Pradeshiya Sabha should be commended for taking prompt action to
prevent an ecological disaster. Where does God
come in? God brings
man and woman together, and through their union, a baby is born.
In the case of the cloned baby where does God come in?
'Letters
to the Editor' should be brief and to the point.
Address them to: 'Letters to the Editor, The Sunday Times, P.O.Box 1136, Colombo. Or e-mail to steditor@wijeya.lk or stfeat@wijeya.lk Please note that letters cannot be acknowledged or returned. |
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