Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history. However, the prevailing situation could deteriorate further. In fact, what we see every day is merely a portion of the economic crisis, and Sri Lanka is yet to fully comprehend or feel the true magnitude of the crisis. Like an octopus spreads its tentacles to different directions with force to catch and hold a prey, the economic crisis is spreading to different aspects of life, making the general public the prey.
The economic crisis, and the social crisis triggered by the economic crisis, will gradually come to an end if and when the Government finds solutions to its underlying causes such as the foreign reserves crisis, the high budget deficit, import dependency, and unsustainable borrowing. However, when such solutions would be found is yet unknown. Nevertheless, even then, the impacts of these crises on children, who form the next generation, are not going to end.
There are a multitude of reasons as to why children are at risk of having to go through adverse situations that are hard to change in the short run, and Sri Lanka is beginning to observe signs of these emerging.
The education sector is at the centre of this crisis. Even though it was the Covid-19 pandemic that was viewed as the biggest threat to the education sector in the past two years, now, the economic crisis has started negatively affecting this sector. Recently, it was reported that the education authorities had decided to postpone exams – which were already postponed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic – owing to difficulties in procuring papers required to print exam papers due to the prevalent financial crisis in the country. The current state of other essential services and resources required to properly resume education, including payments to those carrying out educational activities such as exams, is yet to be understood.
However, the Provincial Education Department announced yesterday (21) that the term tests for Grades Nine, 10, and 11 of government schools in the Western Province will be held as previously scheduled. Provincial Director of Education P. Srilal Nonis stated that they have been able to obtain the paper required for the printing of question papers. Accordingly, the term tests for students of the above-mentioned grades in all schools in the Western Province will commence on 29 March, while the exams will be held according to the same timetable issued earlier. Additionally, the term tests for Grades Six, Seven, and Eight students are being conducted as usual, yesterday onwards, the Provincial Director of Education added.
This is good news as it ensures the students are not losing out on education, especially at an age during which the basic foundation for their futures are laid. The current situation may have also increased brain drain, because those who are in a position to send their children abroad for studies are most likely to do exactly that.
In addition to education, nutrition is also an emerging pressing concern that could cause long-term adverse impacts on children. Inflation is through the roof, and parents have had to cut down on money allocated for nutritious food – especially fruits, vegetables, and milk powder including various types of milk powder for children of specific age groups – for their children. Against a backdrop where the people’s ability to obtain even the most basic essential food items has waned, how this situation affects children, especially those in their formative years, is a matter that Sri Lanka must look into before it is too late.
Incidents such as the one where a father of four died by suicide early this month owing to the inability to settle a Rs. 10,000 loan while his children were reported to have been in hunger for days, should not be considered as isolated incidents, and it is high time that the authorities try to view the living conditions of the working-class people through incidents such as these.
However, what is of paramount importance is that the authorities end their habit of denying the issues that the people are living with, and acknowledge the gravity of the situation. The prevailing situation is no longer a mere economic crisis. The sooner the authorities realise that this is not a matter of giving children a comfortable life amidst an economic crisis, but is a matter of the next generation’s future, which has a direct connection to the country’s future, the better. Although what the Government can do may be limited at this juncture, understanding these long-term issues will certainly be useful when forming long-term strategies in order to revive the country.Childhood in crisis
21 Mar 2022
Childhood in crisis
21 Mar 2022
Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis in its post-independence history. However, the prevailing situation could deteriorate further. In fact, what we see every day is merely a portion of the economic crisis, and Sri Lanka is yet to fully comprehend or feel the true magnitude of the crisis. Like an octopus spreads its tentacles to different directions with force to catch and hold a prey, the economic crisis is spreading to different aspects of life, making the general public the prey.
The economic crisis, and the social crisis triggered by the economic crisis, will gradually come to an end if and when the Government finds solutions to its underlying causes such as the foreign reserves crisis, the high budget deficit, import dependency, and unsustainable borrowing. However, when such solutions would be found is yet unknown. Nevertheless, even then, the impacts of these crises on children, who form the next generation, are not going to end.
There are a multitude of reasons as to why children are at risk of having to go through adverse situations that are hard to change in the short run, and Sri Lanka is beginning to observe signs of these emerging.
The education sector is at the centre of this crisis. Even though it was the Covid-19 pandemic that was viewed as the biggest threat to the education sector in the past two years, now, the economic crisis has started negatively affecting this sector. Recently, it was reported that the education authorities had decided to postpone exams – which were already postponed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic – owing to difficulties in procuring papers required to print exam papers due to the prevalent financial crisis in the country. The current state of other essential services and resources required to properly resume education, including payments to those carrying out educational activities such as exams, is yet to be understood.
However, the Provincial Education Department announced yesterday (21) that the term tests for Grades Nine, 10, and 11 of government schools in the Western Province will be held as previously scheduled. Provincial Director of Education P. Srilal Nonis stated that they have been able to obtain the paper required for the printing of question papers. Accordingly, the term tests for students of the above-mentioned grades in all schools in the Western Province will commence on 29 March, while the exams will be held according to the same timetable issued earlier. Additionally, the term tests for Grades Six, Seven, and Eight students are being conducted as usual, yesterday onwards, the Provincial Director of Education added.
This is good news as it ensures the students are not losing out on education, especially at an age during which the basic foundation for their futures are laid. The current situation may have also increased brain drain, because those who are in a position to send their children abroad for studies are most likely to do exactly that.
In addition to education, nutrition is also an emerging pressing concern that could cause long-term adverse impacts on children. Inflation is through the roof, and parents have had to cut down on money allocated for nutritious food – especially fruits, vegetables, and milk powder including various types of milk powder for children of specific age groups – for their children. Against a backdrop where the people’s ability to obtain even the most basic essential food items has waned, how this situation affects children, especially those in their formative years, is a matter that Sri Lanka must look into before it is too late.
Incidents such as the one where a father of four died by suicide early this month owing to the inability to settle a Rs. 10,000 loan while his children were reported to have been in hunger for days, should not be considered as isolated incidents, and it is high time that the authorities try to view the living conditions of the working-class people through incidents such as these.
However, what is of paramount importance is that the authorities end their habit of denying the issues that the people are living with, and acknowledge the gravity of the situation. The prevailing situation is no longer a mere economic crisis. The sooner the authorities realise that this is not a matter of giving children a comfortable life amidst an economic crisis, but is a matter of the next generation’s future, which has a direct connection to the country’s future, the better. Although what the Government can do may be limited at this juncture, understanding these long-term issues will certainly be useful when forming long-term strategies in order to revive the country.Kapruka
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!