417 schools closed in last seven years
By Ravi Ladduwahetty-December 7, 2013
The government has closed a total of 417 schools in the last seven years, despite the proclamation of opening 1,000 new schools, Hambantota District UNP MP, Sajith Premadasa charged in Parliament yesterday.
He also said 64% of the students who had sat for the Ordinary Level examination in 2005 had failed English and Science papers, while 63% had failed those subjects in 2006, 60% failed in 2007 and 52% in 2013. He also asked what steps have been taken by the government to rectify this damage in the light of the government’s proclamation of wanting to increase the quality of Science and English education in the country.
Premadasa also alleged the government was supplying free mid-day meals only to 25% or one million of the four million schoolchildren, reminding that his late father, President Ranasinghe Premadasa, was the pioneer in providing the free mid-day meal for schoolchildren.He also charged that the government had enough money to promote the Lambhorgini culture, but not enough for the Badagini culture. “The government has all the money to waste on corruption and casino culture, but nothing is available for the masses,” he charged.
The government it is learnt is looking at introducing legislation that would result in farmers losing their right to agricultural seeds while the monopoly of agricultural seeds would be with multinational companies loyal to the Rajapaksa regime.
By Ravi Ladduwahetty-December 7, 2013 The government has closed a total of 417 schools in the last seven years, despite the proclamation of opening 1,000 new schools, Hambantota District UNP MP, Sajith Premadasa charged in Parliament yesterday.
He also said 64% of the students who had sat for the Ordinary Level examination in 2005 had failed English and Science papers, while 63% had failed those subjects in 2006, 60% failed in 2007 and 52% in 2013. He also asked what steps have been taken by the government to rectify this damage in the light of the government’s proclamation of wanting to increase the quality of Science and English education in the country.
Premadasa also alleged the government was supplying free mid-day meals only to 25% or one million of the four million schoolchildren, reminding that his late father, President Ranasinghe Premadasa, was the pioneer in providing the free mid-day meal for schoolchildren.He also charged that the government had enough money to promote the Lambhorgini culture, but not enough for the Badagini culture. “The government has all the money to waste on corruption and casino culture, but nothing is available for the masses,” he charged.
Government to take away farmers’ right to agricultural seeds
- Saturday, 07 December 2013
The government it is learnt is looking at introducing legislation that would result in farmers losing their right to agricultural seeds while the monopoly of agricultural seeds would be with multinational companies loyal to the Rajapaksa regime.
According to the new legislation, the right to all seeds will be vested with the Director General of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Ministry is looking at introducing a new bill on seeds and planting material.
The legislation will prevent farmers from personally cultivating seeds and permission would have to be sought from the Director General of Agriculture to do so.
It would therefore stop farmers from planting local seeds and any farmer intending to cultivate local seeds will have to get a license.
It is learnt that the government is looking at this new legislation to promote the cultivation of genetically modified seeds prepared by multinational companies.
It is learnt that the government is looking at this new legislation to promote the cultivation of genetically modified seeds prepared by multinational companies.
