Overcoming learned helplessness

Abstract

“ English for all” was the main aim of proposing that English should be taught as the compulsory second language in all schools in Sri Lanka ( Kannangara Reforms, 1943). In the five year Primary Education Plan (1999) the target for attainment of essential learning continuum by all boys and girls in primary education cycle up to 100% was by the year 2004. This is also in keeping with Education for All ( Jomtian, 1990 programme goals. However, as study conducted by the National Education Research and Evaluation Centre (NEREC) on the achievement of Grade Four pupils in Sri Lanka indicate that the goal of education for all had not been achieved with respect to the teaching of English. Using a subset of data from the study this paper looks at the district wise disparities that exist in the teaching and learning of English at primary level.