1. Implementation of Second National Language in the State Schools in Sri Lanka; Challenges and Responses
G A Chandana
Ng/ Amandoluwa Maha Vidyalaya, Seeduwa
and
Ms. E S Neranjani
Senior Lecturer
Department of Humanities Education, University of Colombo
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2. Percentage of the population (%)
Introduction
Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic country.
Sinhala and Tamil are the most used languages.
Sinhala and Tamil languages were made the National Languages in Sri Lanka while English is the Link Language(Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (1978), Article 18 &19).
According to the 13th amendment of the constitution (dated ) Both Sinhala and Tamil languages were considered as official languages.
Table 1 : Sri Lanka ethnic group of people and their distribution
Ethnic Group
Percentage of the population (%)
Sinhalese
74.9
Tamils
15.2
Muslims
9.3
Burghers
0.3
Malays
Source : Department of census and statistics 2018
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3. Sri Lanka experiences peace today after a 30 year long battle.
One main reason for the conflict was lack of understanding between the groups who spoke two different languages.
It is the responsibility of the schools to work towards re-conciliation of the two groups.
The essentiality of a second national language (2NL) to schools was highlighted in the circular dated and number 91/98.
First 2NL was introduced to Grade 6-9 in schools as a compulsory subject under the circular 1998/45 and then 2NL was extended to Grade under the circular 2006/09.
Tamil was offered to Sinhala Medium students as the 2NL and Sinhala was offered to the Tamil Medium students.
However, very few studies have been conducted to investigate the successfulness of 2NL education in the schools in Sri Lanka.
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4. Objectives
To investigate the nature of implementation of Second National Language in the state schools in Sri Lanka.
Identify the challenges faced by the teachers, students and school authorities in the implementation and practice of Second National Language in schools.
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5. (Selected 1AB Sinhala Medium School for study)
Methodology
Mixed Method Research in parallel phases Triangulation design using parallel phases A qualitative dominant research
Sample Information
Purposive samples were selected as bellow
Table 2. 1AB schools in Gampaha educational Zone
Division
1 AB schools
(Sinhala Medium)
Purposive Sample
(Selected 1AB Sinhala Medium School for study)
Aththanagalla 4 1
Dompe
Gampaha 10 2
Source : Western province educational Department 2018
Grade Ten students – 60 from 4 schools
Second language Tamil subject teachers – 04 from 4 schools
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6. Data collection Instruments
Data were collected using following instruments
Questionnaires for students and teachers
Interviews with students and teachers
Documentary survey
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7. Finding of the study
Majority of the students (75%) appreciated the opportunity they had to study second national language (2NL) in school.
Some students have not clearly understood the lessons taught by some teachers.
Some students have selected 2NL in grade 10 due to parental pressure.
Some have selected the subject because they liked learning Tamil through their experience in learning Tamil in the Junior Secondary level.
There was a lack of qualified teachers to teach Tamil as the 2NL.
Some areas in the text book were not understood by some teachers.
Teachers who taught 2NL were reluctant to teach Tamil during the assigned time.
Lessons were not organized or structured systematically which made learning more difficult and uninteresting to the students.
Majority of the students (90%) had recognized the usefulness of learning Tamil as the 2NL and attended supplementary fee levying classes to develop 2NL.
63 percent of them were able to communicate well in Tamil.
There is a weak negative correlation (chi squire -0.23) between Tamil language preference and future communicable language selection among students. This has to be further investigated.
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8. Conclusion Suggestions
There are issues regarding selection of second language as a main subject for G.C.E (O/L) examination.
There are issues on the teaching – learning process of Tamil as the second language grade 10 student’s in state schools.
Challenges in teaching and learning in the 2NL class in the Sinhala medium schools were mainly due to the poor skills and attitudes of the teachers.
Suggestions
Nature and Issues in the learning – teaching process of 2NL in grade 10 class rooms in the Sinhala and Tamil medium schools has to be investigated.
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9. References Annual Research Conference 2018- University of Colombo

10. Thank you Annual Research Conference 2018- University of Colombo