HelpAge educates school principals on elders’ value

The subjects of `Gerontology’, a scientific study of old age and the process of ageing of old people and `Geriatric’ a subject related to the medical science dealing with the health of old people were highlighted at a seminar, conducted by HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) at Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya, Trincomalee.

The seminar was conducted under the theme ‘Caring for elders and create an environment for them to live with dignity” under the guidance of Ministry of Education in collaboration with HelpAge International, UK through the Sponsor a Grandparent Programme (SaG ).

Over 100 school principals and zonal education directors in Trincomalee District attended.

HelpAge , Programme Manager Chaminda de Silva highlighted the importance of caring for elderly people without neglecting them.

He requested everybody to keep elders within their family circle without sending them to elders’ homes.

He said that even the former United Nations Consultant Joseph Charmain said 60 per cent of the grandparents in European countries are treated with love and care.

” Keeping in line with the cultural background in Sri Lanka, HelpAge does not promote `Elders Homes’ concept and requested children not to isolate their elders” he said.

He said HelpAge has also urged United Nations (UN) to initiate a `Convention to safeguard the interest of elders’ in order to strengthen their health, rights, requirements and the much needed protection.

HelpAge , Youth Education Director G.C. Mendis explained the significance of conducting programmes for principals and requested them to pass this message to school children since it is their duty to look after elders without making any discrimination to this needy sector.

He quoted the British philosopher Bertrand Russell “without moral values, mankind has no future” and also highlighted that even world famous characters did not isolate elders until their demise.

Director Mendis also mentioned that children should realize that one day we all become old and everybody likes to spend their evening session with their loved ones.

HelpAge , Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge highlighted that HelpAge was established three decades ago to look into the welfare of less-privileged elders and said HelpAge Eye Hospital, Wellawatta performs free cataract surgeries to this vulnerable sector and also provides them with free disability equipment.

Trincomalee Zonal Education Department , Director S. Sritharan highly valued the seminar and said it was the duty and responsibility of school principals and teachers to enlighten the minds of younger generation towards respecting and caring for elders.