Business
Spiraling costs of school closures in Sri Lanka
By Lynn Ockersz
Immense learning loss among the young, the likelihood of increasing school dropouts, the interruption of the school feeding programme and rising mental stress and confusion among children are just a few among the multiple ills that result from prolonged school closures in Sri Lanka, the Gamani Corea Foundation’s (GCF) 13th discussion session was told recently.
The above insights formed part of a comprehensive issues paper that was authored and presented at the session held at the BMICH on January 5th by educationist Dr. Damaris Wikramanayake. The reading and discussion of such issues papers feature on a monthly basis at the Sri Lanka Innovators’ Forum which functions under the aegis of the GCF.
The local education sector consists of four categories, the researcher initially indicated. They are: pre-school education, general education (consisting of primary and secondary education), higher education and vocational and technical education (TVET).
Quoting the ADB Wikramanayake said that the recent pandemic caused 71 weeks of full or ‘partial’ school closures in Sri Lanka. Drawing on UNICEF and UNESCO information she indicated that, ‘The closing of schools for just one day causes a loss of about 25 million learning hours and 1.4 million of teaching hours.’
Wikramanayake identified the most pressing challenges to be overcome in the local school system currently as: ensuring equal access, regular learning assessments, monitoring school atten
dance, evolving monitoring and evaluation procedures, supporting teachers, increasing education budgets and promoting social cohesion.
Referring to the issue of income inequalities among local students the researcher quoting sources said that the poorest quintile of students incurred 57% more losses than the richest quintile.
Other important observations made by Wikramanayake were as follows: ‘To recover learning it is important to get all students back to school and ensure they stay in school.
‘Focused learning in a few subjects like Maths, English or IT that provide a direct link to possible employment might persuade potential dropouts to stay in school. Dropping out of school is sometimes because students are bored and see no connection between school life and “real” life.
‘If students obtained a fail grade in English or Maths, had been absent for more than 20% of school days and faced the possibility of not being promoted, they are most likely to drop out. Intense work on a few select subjects would inevitably help them improve their grade and gain more confidence in themselves.
‘In 2018 Sri Lanka’s expenditure on education was 2.135% of GDP, while India spent 4.364% of GDP, the Maldives 3.912% of GDP and Afghanistan 3.2% of GDP. The highest expenditure in recent years was 2.7% of GDP in 2017. In 2019, expenditure on education was a mere 1.93% of GDP. This rose to 2.4% in 2020, despite the pandemic.’
A most engrossing and wide-ranging discussion followed the presentation of the paper. Some respondents from the public sector, among very many other matters, pointed to the destructive impact on students of the current ‘craze for As and Bs.’ Others pointed to the deleterious impact on the education sector of the present economic crisis and prolonged trade union action, besides highlighting the need for curriculum reform and ‘practical-based education.’ One speaker observed that the local education crisis really began with the Easter Sunday bombings.
Wrapping-up the discussion, Board Director of the GCF, Dr. Harsha Athurupane, besides discussing a range of other topical issues, indicated the need to include STEAM education in the local school curriculum. The ‘A’ in the well-known combination of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths or STEM, stands for Arts. GCF Chairman Dr. Lloyd Fernando wanted the audience to ponder long and deep on the fundamental question: ‘What is education?’
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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