News
Focus on children as it’s back to school for some students
Here are the highlights of Friday’s media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau chaired by Director Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawe.
The Additional Secretary, State Ministry of Pre-Schools & Primary Education, Mahinda Yapa:
95% of children (in Grades 1-5) in 9,152 primary schools attended classes.
Uniforms are not compulsory as it may be difficult for parents to get clean uniforms every day. The children can also wear comfortable footwear and shoes with laces are not being encouraged as when the laces come loose and drag along the ground, children have to touch them and their hands can get dirty.
Schools are not attempting to teach all the lessons missed during the closure. A special set of lessons which include language and mathematics are being taught so that we don’t burden the children. Only important areas of study are being covered.
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Miyuru Chandradasa of the Colombo North (Ragama) Teaching Hospital:
There has been a 20% increase in children experiencing depression, anxiety and screen addiction, compared to data from 2018-19, before the pandemic hit. These are some of the findings of studies of the Universities of Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura and Colombo as part of worldwide research. More facts will come out in a scientific paper shortly.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 5% of youth have psychological issues. So if there is an additional 20% increase, it is a crucial matter.
An adolescent girl had been brought to hospital after fainting. The case history had revealed that her parents cannot afford to buy her an electronic device (laptop or smartphone) and as such she has had no access to teachers. She, however, being a bright student had been focusing – neglecting all else such as meals and rest – on solving a mathematical problem on her own.
A seven-year-old happy-go-lucky child had been brought to hospital with a severe headache. His screams of pain had been drawing even neighbours to his house. Tests had not indicated any serious condition but the case history had showed that the severe economic hardships his parents are facing were making him unhappy. He had no way of expressing his feelings, whereas under normal circumstances he would have played with his friends and got a small respite from the troubled home-front.
The most important lessons a child learns at school are not reading or writing but socializing, interacting with others and being empathetic, sensitive and kind.