http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1136 This is the proceedings of the First Annual Research Conference - 2012 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:54:51 GMT 2026-04-15T03:54:51Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1215 Title: A critical analysis on education for sustainable development (ESD) in science education at secondary level; a study based on Northern Province of Sri Lanka Authors: Nithlavarnan, A.; Kalamany, T.; Gunasegara, J. Abstract: In most countries, there are ongoing processes of developing or implementing national strategies for sustainable development. Objectives of this study are to find the topics related to ESD in the secondary school science curriculum and analyze their relevance for sustainable development; to find strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of science education curriculum at secondary level; to find the perception of change agents on the contribution of the secondary school science curriculum for sustainable development and to suggest remedial measures for positive change. The sample of this study consists of 36 schools of the 12 Educational Zones of the Northern Province, 3 schools are selected from each zone. The implementation of the study was divided into two phases. Phase-I: Analysis of science education curriculum at secondary level by using documentary analysis and focus group discussion with Assistant Directors of Science, in service Advisors of Science and practicing teachers. In Phase-II, Field Survey was conducted at secondary level by using data collection techniques of interviews with principals, classroom observations and questionnaires to teachers. Qualitative data was analyzed by using methods of transcription, coding, categorizing, describing, analyzing and interpreting. This study gave clear understanding of social, economic and environmental issues. It was found that to what extent in Sri Lanka have integrated ESD policies, programs and practices into school educational settings. This study identified challenges and Barriers to ESD in Science Education. Further, it found out solutions for the above challenges and barriers. Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1215 2012-04-10T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1214 Title: The required competency for teachers: then and now - a comparative study based on secondary School Teachers Authors: Anushya, S. Abstract: All round development of a child is possible only through Education. General education is one of the basic indicators of a country's progress. Based on this, objectives of this study are as follows to understand the meaning of "Competency" in Teaching; to know the required competency for Secondary School Teachers-Then and Now; to analyze the differences if any, in the perception of the teachers in class level, sex wise, location wise and, educational level wise and to explore measures for the improvement and developments of the competency among the teachers now in service. This research is of survey type. Samples for this study are randomly selected from several secondary school teachers in service and retired teachers in Jaffna. To know the required competency for the teachers, a questionnaire has been designed. To collect the opinion about the required competency and to differentiate the perception of teachers based on variables, the percentage has been utilized. The quality of education depends on the quality of teachers. If the teachers do not have the essential competency required for teaching profession pupils learn very little. Poor school quality is one of the major problems which occur in Jaffna region. Therefore, sharpening and refining the competency of teachers is very essential. This study may help the teachers who are now in service to understand the most required competency for them while knowing the competency of the retired teachers then. Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1214 2012-04-10T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1213 Title: An ethical perspective on the scenario of cultural degeneration in postwar Jaffna Authors: Sivakaran, N. Abstract: This paper attempts to critically examine the lifestyle and cultural values of the people of Jaffna in the postwar period from an ethical point of view. Nowadays, cultural degeneration is considered a serious problem confronting the people of Jaffna. The growth, pride, uniqueness and identity of an ethnic group are contingent on the cultural characteristics of that group. Hence, in the practical life style of Tamil community, culture is regarded as a central unit. Disciplines and noble values have been preserved among the people of Jaffna via culture. As a result, Jaffna has been a unique location distinguishable from other regions. However at present, there seems to be a decline in the importance of cultural values among the populace of Jaffna. Identities that are linked to ethnicity and culture appear to lose their value, these tendencies have been observed by the Tamil speaking community and triggered criticism from social activists. Even though different groups are engaged in charting the cause of the development of Jaffna, they have ignored to look at the cultural core of this region. Before the end of the war, Jaffna society upheld a rigid code of moral behaviour. The people showed a lot of interest in protecting their cultural identities. However, the limitless freedom available to the younger generation has shaken the foundation of the cultural life of Jaffna while making the life pattern of the future generation uncertain. Against this backdrop, this paper emphasized the important of protecting the cultural values of Tamils and examines the forces that are responsible for cultural decline in Jaffna. 1 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1213 2012-04-10T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1212 Title: Traffic congestion in Bangladesh-causes and solutions: a study of Chittagong metropolitan city Authors: Shamsher, R.; Abdullah, M.N. Abstract: One of the most challenging and complicated issues in the present decade for Bangladesh is the traffic problem. Presently, traffic congestion problem in Bangladesh are increasing at an alarming rate. The traffic problem has become to a very dangerous arena and has already implicit agonizing extent in the cities of Bangladesh. The traffic congestion cost is US$3 Billion a year and the city losses over 8 million work hours daily. A developing country like Bangladesh cannot afford the economic and environmental loss resulted from this severe traffic obstruction. However, this type of study has been conducted in Dhaka but not in Chittagong city. Traffic management in Chittagong is not well organized as Dhaka so that the problem is becoming more complicated as the number of people in Chittagong is increasing and it is getting the priority after Dhaka. The broad objective of this study is to investigate the effect of traffic congestion on the urban population of Bangladesh. The methodology used for this study was literature survey. In reviewing the literature, both theoretical and empirical studies were taken into consideration. Secondary information was used to conduct this research. Secondary data were collected through content analysis from various published sources including books, online journals, newspapers, magazines, and reports. This analysis clearly falls in to the category of qualitative research as it aims to get a deeper understanding of how urban environmental issues like traffic congestion is occurring, its overall impact on the quality of life of the city dwellers and some potential solution for this challenging problem. Tue, 01 Jan 0004 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1212 0004-01-01T00:00:00Z