When will our children be given priority in this crisis ?
9 July 2022 02:08 am
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If the Government is unable to do so, it should immediately appoint and empower a national level crisis committee capable of addressing the impact of this crisis on children
The widely-held belief that addressing economic and political concerns at the family level will automatically solve the issues that children face is both wrong and potentially dangerous
A group of indivuduals in their capacity as concerned and responsible adults, in roles as academics, educationists, doctors, lawyers, professionals, activists, religious leaders and civil servants, demand through a petition that the Sri Lankan Government share with its people and the international community, a masterplan that demonstrates capacity and will to protect and support the children of this country during this national crisis.
The following is their petition.
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It’s high time that the government prioritises public transport for children
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During any crisis the natural human instinct is to protect children first. Children are humankind’s most vulnerable and valuable asset. Yet, the widely-held belief that addressing economic and political concerns at the family level will automatically solve the issues that children face is both wrong and potentially dangerous. While many problems that children experience today relate to the broader consequences of the present economic, political and social crises, there are crucial and urgent concerns that need to be addressed separately.
In Sri Lanka’s ongoing and impending catastrophe, the needs of our children have not only been ignored, but actual harm has been brought upon our children through the chaotic, callous and ill-informed decision-making of the Government.
We, the undersigned, in our capacity as concerned and responsible adults, in our roles as academics, educationists, doctors, lawyers, professionals, activists, religious leaders and civil servants, demand that the Sri Lankan Government share with its people and the international community, a masterplan that demonstrates the capacity and will to protect and support the children of this country during this national crisis.
If the Government is unable to do so, it should immediately appoint and empower a national level crisis committee capable of addressing the impact of this crisis on children.
Sri Lankan children’s lives have been in tragic chaos since the onset of Covid 19 in 2019. Two-and-a-half years on, there appears to be no plan, no interest, and no capacity to address this complex crisis.
We highlight below, problems that need the most immediate attention.
- Malnutrition (see UNICEF & Save the Children published data)
- Stress and vulnerability in domestic life (due to income insecurity, rising food prices, disruption of basic needs, increase in domestic violence)
- Loss of learning due to arbitrary closure of schools
- Stress due to chaotic and contradictory school schedules
- Stress due to rigidity of syllabi and exams
- Additional financial and social burden due to online education (requiring smartphones, data cards, connections) and the growing disparity in education between children who have and do not have access to this option.
- Damage to emotional and social growth due to increased isolation
- Mental health issues due to stress, instability and isolation
- Vulnerability to online dependency and other dangers, including cyber predation
- Vulnerability to unsuitable employment, including possible sexual exploitation of the most helpless children.
Children and youth are losing hope and sense of purpose which in turn compound the existing problems. They are rapidly losing resilience and will not have the dynamism to bounce back even when/if the situation improves.
The Sri Lankan education system, comprising 10,100 schools spread across the country, is run through a centralised decision-making mechanism operated by the Ministry of Education (MoE) with its emphasis on universal education. It is the most powerful network connecting children across the country. Hence, this mechanism can and should be activated to protect, energise and support children through this crisis, which is expected to last for years to come.
Therefore, an unresponsive MoE, which seeks to juggle a ‘business as usual’ approach through implementing ad hoc government directives, becomes an unwitting adversary in this crisis by imposing constraints and standing in the way of solutions which our children urgently need.
Even as we draft this letter, over 4.2 million school-going children sit at home with all schools closed until July 10. Instead, in spite of public pressure to (1) provide children with respite from exam stress (2) prioritize meals for hungry children (3) implement a community schooling system (4) prioritise public transport for children, no meaningful and tangible outcomes have been initiated.
We call on all responsible adults – including parents, psychologists, principals, teachers, religious leaders, child rights activists, teachers’ unions – to come together on behalf of Sri Lanka’s children. Let us unite to:
- challenge the current irresponsible decision-making of the Government regarding education
- denounce the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Cabinet for their disinterest in prioritizing the children of this country,
- consolidate our resources to provide solutions to the crisis affecting children and adolescents
The continued irresponsible and illogical behaviour of the Sri Lankan Government and the MoE may result in a generation of young people being caught up in this long-term economic and political crisis.
The Petition had been signed by a diverse and representative group of 420 persons at the time of submission to the Media. The following 25 names comprise the original group of signatories: Dr. Manoj Alawathukotuwa, University of Peradeniya; Dr. Shashikala Assella, University of Kelaniya; Hans Billimoria, Child’s Rights Activist/Co-Founder Grassrooted Trust; Bishop Duleep de Chickera, Former Bishop of Colombo; Ruwanthie de Chickera, Artist; Dr. Tara de Mel, Former Education Secretary; Paba Deshapriya, Child’s Rights Activist/Co-Founder Grassrooted Trust; Marisa de Silva, Activist; Prof. Priyan Dias, formerly University of Moratuwa; Shanthi Dias, Former Principal Methodist College; Brito Fernando, Human Rights Activist; Dr. Sujata Gamage, Educationist/Co-Founder Education Forum; Prof. Savitri Goonesekere, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Colombo; B. Gowthaman; Harsha Gunasena, Chartered Accountant; Prof. Farzana Haniffa, University of Colombo; Dr. Rajan Hoole, formerly University of Jaffna;Dr. Ruwani Jayewardene; Prof. Saumya Liyanage, University of Visual and Performing Arts; Prof. Arjuna Parakrama, University of Peradeniya; Prof. Harshana Rambukwella, Open University of Sri Lanka; Shreen Saroor, Human Rights Activist; Dr. Mahendran Thiruvarangan, University of Jaffna; Prof. Deepika Udagama, University of Peradeniya and Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Emeritus Professor, University of Colombo.