Mostly for reasons that are appalling rather than positive, grade one admissions never fail to make front-page news. Like the Advanced Level hurdle that decides the future of the students, this seems to be the exam the parents are determined to get through.
Due to the nature of competition and the demand for popular schools, they are resolved to admit their children to such institutions; as at the mention of their names, jobs can be secured without a hassle. This seems to be the conception of most parents who re-interpret the concept of education as a long-term investment; as for them, the vital part of investing is not funding for thirteen years, but getting them a good school with a big name. Often, it is this desperation, that sees them falling prey to middlemen and somebodies in educational offices.
The news that about 100 complaints have been received by the Bribery and Corruption Commission in lieu of grade one admissions speaks volumes on the acuteness of the matter. The report goes on to say the most number of complaints were against the principals in the Western Province, while 90 percent of such complaints came from anonymous sources. According to the Commission, the problem has boiled up to a point where an average of 15-20 complaints is received daily. The numbers are no doubt appalling; the reality behind the figures is infuriating.
A School principal should be an exemplary figure who should be an epitome of empathy; for he or she has passed all the stages of student-hood, academic experience and sometimes attained parenthood. This process should have ideally made the principals more humane rather than heartless. The maturity that comes with age and experience should have made them honour-bound to their profession. Instead, the reports make them look like a bunch of opportunists who take advantage of the parents who are desperate to change the world for their children. The situation begs the question as to how a parent can trust his or her child with a corrupt individual who is not fit to enter a school let alone head it.
It is no secret that ‘equal opportunity in education’ is still a goal which Sri Lanka is aspiring to achieve. However, uplifting the conditions and providing adequate staff to rural schools will be the first step towards netting such unfortunate incidents. On the other hand, such individuals, irrespective of their social connections and influences, should be brought to book in order to thwart such occurrences in future.
The purpose of education should be to produce complete human beings who are mentally, physically and spiritually healthy. Thus to create such citizens the system should be devoid of any flaws and those who are part of the system, should be just and their actions should be transparent. Be it the parents, the teachers and the principals themselves, their priority should be to teach children the art of justice not the method of greasing the palms.
DailyMirror: