Intl. Schools produce patriots of quality

It is with mounting fury that I have just read P. Abeysinghe Mallawaratchchi’s letter (‘The Island’ 3rd Sept.) in which he makes the most astounding statements about Colombo’s International Schools. I will take up just ONE of his many misconceptions: “In most International schools discipline of students has become a non-existent affair with little or no citizenship training or character building process involved ….”

I cannot imagine from where he got the idea that patriotism and discipline is not being well inculcated in Colombo’s International Schools. As a former Principal of an Intl. School, I can speak for the TISSL schools, when I say firmly and with authority that the discipline of our schools is usually MUCH BETTER than others. Our children are taught to take responsibility for whatever they do. Punishments are given when necessary. Children study hard. Teachers actually teach and are supervised by an on-spot-authority namely, the Principal. The excellent results that these schools get are proof that everyone is WORKING. On what statistics or proof does writer Mallawaratchchi base one’s comments?

In past years the riotous goings on of local school students at times of Big Match fever has caused me to call in the Police to prevent vandalism. We have seen window panes broken and boys running screaming through our schools. In one case an Intl. school Principal was even pushed down the stairs. We hear of stabbings and other criminal conduct actually taking place in tents, while matches were being played. Exactly how can this be explained away? Are these students regarded as being better DISCIPLINED than International School kids? Surely Mr. M. is joking.

Mr. M goes on to say that classrooms are chicken coops, teacher training is at a minimum and administration is chaotic in International Schools. He should visit AIS, CIS, the Gateway Schools, Stafford International, Moir Int. and many others (cannot list them all) and he will find some of the best run schools in the Island (with very comfortable and student friendly classrooms).

May I draw attention to the publicized appalling behaviour of some teachers and Principals of government schools, who are regularly mentioned in the Press for bribery, sexual abuse of children and other misdeeds? Not in International Schools, please note.

Mr. M. speaks of ‘Immensely talented and patriotic students from ‘gamey pasalas’. I would like to point out that thanks to the quota system some of these talented and patriotic students are probably among those sadistic raggers that have brought our universities such discredit. Why is it assumed that patriotism is not found in International Schools? It is flourishing very well indeed thank you. And just for the record, many students ‘flying off to foreign lands and greener pastures’ come from Govt. schools. Perhaps Mr. M. is unaware that all foreign Universities accept the local A/Levels as an entrance qualification, so a student does not need an International School education to go abroad.

Coming to patriotism, I would like to mention as examples, just a few students of AIS, who went abroad, gained their degrees and have returned gladly to their country, and now work in environmental sustainability, trash control, marketing local products, exporting local products etc. All of them are patriotic citizens and how dare anyone question the patriotism of another just because he went to or is being educated in an International School.

This is true of all good International Schools whose children are being well trained, excellently educated and being brought up to know their religion, their mother tongue, and also to be as patriotic as any product of a local school (if not more so).

I am presuming that Mr. M. is speaking of a few instances he may have heard but his sweeping conclusions have to be firmly denied.

GOOLBAI GUNASEKERA

Goolbai@gmail.com