TO PREVENT ARGUING PARENTS

(ON THE PROBLEM OF EDUCATION)

- GOOLBAI GUNASEKARA

There are too many differences between a husband and wife regarding the education of their children. All sorts of opinions surface that were not discussed before marriage and until children started appearing. Here are a few of them...

The father wants his son to go to his old school, The mother wants a Private School. The father insists on the National Language as the medium of instruction. The mother prefers the English stream.

Of course family quarrels do not necessarily pressage total upheaval but the toll on the listening children is heart rending specially when other problems are brought into the discussion. I often wonder if parents really understand the desolation of a child who knows his parents are unhappy and who are sometimes expected to take sides.

There are many choices in education available for those who can afford it. For those who have no choice there is a Government National Education policy in force which is good, bad and indifferent depending on where the students live. I am talking to those who CAN afford choices.

First of all young couples should decide these matters of their children's education before they get married. In my long experience of parental folly they never seem to do so. May I suggest the following guidelines when making a decision as important as the education of your offspring. These may prevent a great deal of unpleasantness later.