a speech about education in sinhala

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Four Education Successes in Sri Lanka

This is Part 2 in our series on IDA-supported education programs in Sri Lanka.  Part 1 Three Decades of Support to Improve Sri Lanka’s Education is available here

For Sri Lanka, investment in education was, and is, at the heart of its development strategy. It is a prominent focus of public policy.

For almost three decades, the International Development Association (IDA) , the World Bank fund that helps the world’s poorest countries, has been the single largest foreign development partner in the education sector in Sri Lanka.

Each program has responded to public policy and national aspirations, seeking to support Sri Lanka’s development and growth.

Critical to this effort has been boosting institutional capacities and integrating quality assurance into every program.

Below are four key achievements:

1. Improving textbooks and upgrading the curriculum

Consecutive programs improved the content and physical quality of textbooks. Under the Second General Education Project (GEP II) about 20 million reasonably high-quality textbooks were printed. This led to savings as the annual textbook replacement rate dropped from 70 percent to 50 percent.

Another key development was the shift from a single textbook policy under state monopoly to a Multiple Book Option (MBO) policy allowing for greater private sector participation and a focus on improved learning outcomes, inclusion, equity, and diversity.

The curricula in many disciplines were also out of step with the times. So, the Higher Education for the Twenty-First Century Project (HETC) modernized the Sri Lanka Institute for Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) and its network of Advanced Technological Institutes. Curriculum and management reforms incorporated modern technology and teaching methods, offering thousands of young Sri Lankans pathways to successful careers.

2 .  Strengthening education policy, institutions and financing

Every IDA project has included components that were designed to strengthen institutions, improve financing and ensure education policy was responsive to contemporary needs.

Under HETC , reforms projected the rationalization and restructuring of university and non-university, and focused on improving public-private partnerships, introducing accreditation mechanisms, cost-recovery strategies, innovative faculties and increased access.

Under the US$ 100 million project, Transforming the School Education System as the Foundation of a Knowledge Hub project (TSEP) , the government announced a policy that would take national assessments of learning outcomes and feed these back into policy and program development.

Also under TSEP , a model of school-based management called the Program for School Improvement (PSI) was deployed in which school officials such as principals, teachers and administrators were joined by stakeholders in the local school community, such as parents, in the management and administration of schools.

Each new project sought to ensure resources could be allocated in a fair, transparent and equitable manner to improve teaching and learning. GEP II was one of the early pioneers of a new approach, where a norm-based, unit cost resource allocation mechanism ( NBUCRAM ) was piloted successfully nation-wide. This had a profound effect of increasing equity in educational resource allocation and helping the poorest schools find their feet.

3.   Building up libraries and librarians

Under GEP II , more than 1,500,000 library books in 3,062 titles in Sinhala, Tamil and English were provided to existing school libraries, and 100,000 sets of books were supplied to the newly established libraries.

A national library policy was implemented and the National Institute of Library and Information Service (NILIS) at the University of Colombo was established. In 2003, nine courses for teacher librarians were launched, ranging from a Master’s Degree to certificate courses in librarianship. Some 1000 teachers would become certified librarians by 2002.

Administrators also embraced   the innovative Book-based Learning Enrichment program which saw more kids reading with encouragement from teachers and school development groups.

4 .   Establishing and implementing quality assurance measures

The Improving Relevance and Quality of Undergraduate Education Project (IRQUE) helped establish quality assurance accreditation (QAA) function for public universities for the first time. A QAA Council was established in 2005, which in turned developed Codes of Practice and a Credit and Qualification Framework. Subsequently, 163 subjects/departments were reviewed through external assessments by multi-disciplinary teams.

Over 32,000 students and 3,200 staff members in 51 out of 76 faculties in public universities benefited from the external quality assessments conducted by the QAA Council. Established under the IRQUE , the QAAC is now a division of the UGC.

Quality assurance was a key thread connecting all the IDA education projects. Under HETC , for instance, a national qualification framework (NQF) created pathways between the various types of Higher Education Institutions and programs and emphasized quality assurance mechanisms for both state and non-state higher education sectors. 

Over the years, many such efforts were combined to help address concerns that Sri Lankan higher education sector needed to deliver quality education in line with agreed quality criteria and standards.

Last Updated: Oct 19, 2018

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Bilingual Education Classrooms in Sri Lankan Schools: A Social Space for Ethnolinguistic Reconciliation

• First Online: 10 April 2019

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• Harsha Dulari Wijesekera 8 &
• Jennifer Alford 9  

Part of the book series: Multilingual Education Yearbook ((MEYB))

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Decades of a school system ethnolinguistically segregated along Mother Tongue Instruction (MTI), compounded by a 30-year-long ethnic conflict, has had significant consequences for ethnic relations among the diverse population of Sri Lanka. The recently introduced Bilingual Education (BE)—English and Sinhala/Tamil—has enabled some core subjects to be taught using English Medium Instruction (EMI), bringing together students of different ethnicities in multiethnic, bi-media schools. This has created a new social space and, thereby, new possibilities for changing social relations. In this chapter, we explore BE students’ ethnic identity orientations through analysis of their expressed feelings and perceptions towards ethnically diverse ‘others’, before and after joining multiethnic BE classrooms. Using the Bourdieusian conceptual triad of habitus, capital and field , we present analysis of data collected in two, multiethnic schools in Sri Lanka. The findings show that during early socialization in ethnically-exclusive institutions, such as family and monoethnic classrooms, students acquire insular, ethnocentric dispositions that undergo reorientation towards more supraethnic, inclusive dispositions when students get to know each other and study together in multiethnic BE classes. Learning through English as a common language, and cross-linguistic flexibility, made possible a growing positive inclination towards people of different ethnolinguistic backgrounds, and recognition, respect, and increased acceptance of diversity and heterogeneity. The findings are highly relevant to post-conflict, ethnolinguistically heterogeneous societies, especially in terms of how language in education could be utilized in promoting interethnic relations and thereby national solidarity.

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Wijesekera, H.D., Alford, J. (2019). Bilingual Education Classrooms in Sri Lankan Schools: A Social Space for Ethnolinguistic Reconciliation. In: Liyanage, I., Walker, T. (eds) Multilingual Education Yearbook 2019. Multilingual Education Yearbook. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14386-2_5

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Smart Education: Digital revolution of the future in Sri Lanka, pioneered by Abans

Friday, 10 July 2020 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Smart Education is a relatively new concept to the education industry in Sri Lanka. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closing of schools and other educational institutes in Sri Lanka for more than two months. This unexpected situation created severe issues of meeting syllabus deadlines and

finding alternate methods of conducting lessons, to ensure students do not fall behind in their studies. During this period, a major transition into Smart Education took place rapidly, since many people were forced to accept that the digital era and digital solutions were now an integral part of their lives for survival in this day and age.  Abans holds a prominent position in the transformation of the education industry in Sri Lanka, from conventional teaching into Smart Education. Abans Group PLC General Manager Chathura Jayawardana sat down for an interview to offer an in-depth insight into the diverse aspects of Smart Education solutions offered by Abans, and its role in taking education to the next level in Sri Lanka. 

Q: What are your thoughts on Smart Education? Why is it important in the future of learning, and what are the benefits in shifting to Smart Education?

A: As you know, conventional education has consisted of old-school methods where a teacher uses a blackboard to conduct her lessons, and her students use pens and books to take down notes. Study and learning materials were textbooks, paper-based tutorials and the aforementioned notes. Examinations and assessments were conducted in a rigid and restricted manner. Educational information was collected manually and records were not digitalised. Due to the lack of connectivity and open communication between the teachers and students, the full potential of both students and teachers were not realised.  Thus, the need for a more innovative and effective solution for teaching was necessary, and the concept of an interactive class was introduced to the education sector in Sri Lanka. Since the advent of Smart Education globally, it is imperative that our students and teachers are also up-to-date with new technology, more knowledge and better ICT skills, to keep up with the rapid progression in the rest of the world. 

Q: What is the role of Abans in pioneering the influence of Smart Education in Sri Lanka? Tell us about Abans’ experience in the Smart Education field. 

A: Abans Group PLC is a 50-year-old company with a longstanding reputation for trust and empathy towards customers and providing them a better way to life. Building upon that stature, we entered the ICT industry in Sri Lanka 20 years ago, with the evolution of computer technology. Having introduced the HP brand of laptops to the country, and then venturing into public projects that focused on Smart Education five years back, Abans has paved the way for Smart Education solutions to elevate students to new dimensions of learning experiences, and introduce teachers to more innovative approaches of conducting lessons.  Our main objective was to create a Smart Student and that’s how the need for Smart Classrooms arose. In keeping with this, we have deployed Smartboards to over 1,200 schools island wide (both government and private) and successfully installed over 270 fully functional Smart Classrooms. Other types of Smart Education devices have been deployed by us to over a 1,000 schools and educational institutes.  

Q: What do Smart Education solutions consist of and how do they function?

A: The Smart Education solutions offered by Abans are mainly comprised of devices, learning management, training and assessment, with the purpose of increasing connectivity, engagement and the education experience via innovation. The age-old blackboard is replaced by an All-In-One Smartboard and books are replaced by PCs, where teachers and students can engage in a more interactive manner via smart devices and software.  The main focus lies in Smartboards which are connected to PCs, and enable the teachers to conduct lessons using any kind of software. The lessons can be in the form of images, text, videos, 3D and all types of multimedia, that can be viewed by students in real time via connected PCs. Be it in the same classroom or a remote location, all content can be viewed, saved and shared by the teacher to the smart devices of the students at anytime from anywhere.  Within the Smart Classroom, connected student PCs enable teachers to give them assessments and projects that can be completed then and there and evaluated by the teachers. All activity on the PCs can be monitored and controlled by instructors, thereby making it a safe experience as well. The lessons can even be videoed or broadcast from another PC handled by the teacher. 

Q: What are the Smart Education product brands offered by Abans? Tell us briefly about the different Smart Education products available at Abans.

A: We are proud to say that we have the largest number of international brands under our roof. HP, Acer, Apple, and MSI – ranked No. 1, 3, 4 and 5 respectively in the country, are the globally reputed names made available by us. We also have our very own Abans brand. Other brands include Lenovo, Haier, Fit Touch, BOE, Express Luck and Mythware. Our tactical positioning of these brands have proven quite successful, since we are ahead of the competition.  We offer many diverse devices that support Smart Education such as Smart Boards, Interactive White Boards, Student PCs, Teacher PCs, Fully Functional Smart Classrooms, Learning Management Systems, Distance Learning Multi-Vision Solutions, Digital Education Content and 3D, as well as Smart Classroom Accessories which consist of charge trolleys, wireless network solutions, clicker devices, Smart Classroom furniture and document cameras. 

Q: What are the aftersales services provided by Abans for Smart Education solutions?

A: Currently, we have over 400 Abans showroom branches, with well-trained sales staff, across the island, positioned in strategic locations. Our dedicated service centres around the island are unique to Abans, as we aim to provide the best aftersales services to our customers. These ISO-certified and accredited service centres are handled and operated by highly skilled and qualified teams who combine their dedication, hard work and industry experience to ensure speedy service and repairs. 

Q: How has Abans used Smart Education to improve the learning experiences and horizons in Sri Lanka for education? 

A: When we initially introduced Smart Education to schools in Sri Lanka, the foremost hurdle was convincing teachers to accept the challenge of trying out these Smart devices. Their dislike stemmed from fear that they would be shamed in front of their students – since the children of today are quite adept with technology and the digital age, compared to the older generations. They were not ready to shed their traditional teaching methods. Another huge obstacle we came to know was that the teachers were afraid to even touch devices such as the Smartboard, due to reasons like the fear of damaging it and being forced to forfeit their salaries because of that.  However, now the situation is completely different. COVID-19 brought about a huge and unexpected transformation, where teachers had to rely on other ways to conduct their lessons and thereby, Smart Education has taken major strides in the past two months or so. The challenge would now be to continue using the same, even after things go back to normal. We are hopeful that Smart Education solutions will be maintained, and the transformation will influence other schools to join the bandwagon.  Another huge misconception I would to point out is the idea that Smart Education is exorbitantly expensive. Not at all; Smart Education can begin with a simple Smart device, like a mobile phone. You have to start with what is available to you at that moment, not get the most high-tech equipment and then struggle to pay the price or handle the device. It is vital to begin with small steps, before gradually progressing to more sophisticated solutions. This is one reason why we have made it our objective to increase device usage in Sri Lanka for the benefit of the education sector.  Professional Teacher Training is a pivotal segment of Abans’ Smart Education solutions package. We conduct these programmes using various Smart devices such as the Smartboard or Interactive Whiteboard to enable teachers to get familiar with the technology. This training has proven to be exceptionally successful as return visits to many schools have showcased a vast improvement in the academic abilities of the students, as well as their enthusiasm and interest towards interactive learning – which facilitates them to understand and assimilate lessons faster and much easily.  Our future expansion plans include IoT and Artificial Intelligence based education solutions, to further enhance the classroom into a comprehensively digitalised learning environment.

Q: Are there any ongoing promotions at Abans for Smart Education solutions?

A: Yes, special laptop promotions are available for students and teachers at Abans. In comparison to our competitors, our promotions are a cut above the rest, as our main focus is to ensure everyone gets a chance to move to Smart Education. If they wish to purchase any laptop from us, we offer easy payment instalment schemes, free gifts and a certified warranty. They can choose from a variety of brands and models that fit their requirements and budgets. Schools also have the option of obtaining laptops from Abans and paying a reasonable amount monthly. This way, the school does not have to bear a heavy burden to update their curriculum and systems.  In addition, we offer devices as a service to schools, where they can request for any particular devices and a monthly amount is paid to Abans for the usage of these devices. These three options offered by Abans have been instrumental in paving the way to increase the IT knowledge and skills of students and teachers in schools, universities and other educational institutes. Abans also provides LMS (Learning Management Systems) and Professional Teacher Training, to make the transition into Smart Education easier, simpler and fun for everyone. 

Q: What are the value additions offered exclusively by Abans for Smart Education? 

A: We offer customised solutions to meet the different requirements of our customers. Our target markets are schools, universities, technical colleges and other educational institutes. An international portfolio of brands under one roof is a massive advantage we hold over our competitors. Abans has always strived to be at the forefront of introducing innovation to Sri Lanka, hence the technology we offer (4K quality, 3D software, Lifeliqe digital content application, Guru.lk government syllabus compilation, Artificial Intelligence) is guaranteed to keep you ahead of the rest. Our combined expertise of several years and the international service accreditations received by us (authorised service centre, authorised reseller, authorised agents) position us at the top of the Smart Education solutions industry. 

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• Updated on  
• Sep 15, 2022

The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A in the Constitution of India to provide “free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right” in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which represents the consequential legislation envisaged under Article 21-A, means that every child has a right to full-time elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in a formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standards. Education bridges the gap between poverty and prosperity. Education gives you wings to fly high. Class 9 and 10 students have to prepare speeches as part of the CBSE ASL evaluation. Let us explore a few samples of speech on the right to education.

Also Read: Figures of Speech

Check out our essay on peer pressure

Speaking Task: Speech on Right to Education (2 minutes)  ≈ 250 Words

Good morning everyone! I am XYZ and today I am presenting an insightful and impactful speech on the right to education. Allan Bloom once quoted “Education is the movement from darkness to light” It is crucial that quality education is delivered to the people because it is the educated individuals and their decisions that are instrumental in the economic growth and prosperity of a country. With the aim of bridging the gap between poverty and prosperity, the right to education act was launched in the year 2009 and under this act, children up to 14 years of age were provided with free and compulsory education. Enforcement of this act helped people realize that education is their fundamental right and people should never let go of the opportunity to get themselves educated.

As a result of the right to education, the literacy rate will increase and the unemployment rate in the country will decrease, which will automatically facilitate the economic growth of the country. With an increase in economic growth, there will be an equitable income distribution among people and it will also help in establishing an egalitarian society as education helps people think and act in an objective and broad manner. 

Also Read: Speech Writing

Speaking Task: Speech on Right to Education(5 minutes) ≈ 400 Words

Good morning everyone. My name is XYZ and my ASL topic is speech on the right to education. The right to education is a fundamental human right that is a powerful tool for socially and economically marginalized children and adults to use to help them get out of the vicious cycle of poverty. It also includes the right to free education. Freedom of education refers to the right granted to humans to pursue the education of their choice without restriction.

 As quoted by Nelson Mandela “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” and I fully agree with him because education changes human nature in a desirable way as the changes brought about by education are boundless and positive in nature. The right to education (RTE) act was launched in the year 2009 to provide free and compulsory elementary education to children between 6 and 14 years of age. According to RTI, the state must cover up for the obstacles faced by children attending schools. Be responsible for enrolling the child and ensuring completion of the required eight years of education. Education helps to surpass irrational restrictions, promoting equality, systematic functioning of a diverse country like India. Education reduces unemployment and improves the standard of living of people. Education increases people’s productivity and creativity. It encourages entrepreneurship and technological advancement. It plays a crucial role in ensuring economic, social progress and improving income distribution. 

Education aids in the transmission of knowledge required to comprehend and process new information and to implement new technologies. Innovation is a direct consequence of imparting quality education to people. Education is vital for the economic growth and prosperity of a country. The right to education is a fundamental right of every citizen that should not be snatched from them because education gives meaning to life and replaces an empty mind with an open one.

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Travis Kelce delivers surprise graduation speech with beer in hand

Travis kelce delivers surprise graduation speech.

Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce delivered a speech with a beer in hand as he and brother Jason were awarded their University of Cincinnati during a surprise ceremony.

(FOX 9) - Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce delivered a graduation speech with a beer in hand as he and brother Jason were awarded their University of Cincinnati diplomas during a surprise ceremony on Thursday.

The surprise ceremony featuring the brothers, who had missed their own commencement ceremonies years prior due to their NFL careers, was seen by many as the culmination of the weekend’s events.

Kelce’s words of wisdom to graduating students? "You gotta fight for your right to party!" he said, with a beer in hand.

Along with the ceremony, the Kelce brothers celebrated Alumni Weekend at their alma mater by recording an episode of their podcast, "New Heights Live: We Gotta Talk About It," at the University of Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena, according to a local report.

The University of Cincinnati, Ohio, administration commemorated the occasion on X, saying, "A surprise commencement we’ll never forget. Congratulations to Travis and Jason on (finally) picking up those diplomas!"

In exit speech, school board member Scott Crise urges SPS, teachers union to mend rift

As Scott Crise exited the Springfield school board, he was praised by fellow board members as level-headed, calm and thoughtful in his words and actions.

Colleagues also noted that during tense moments or long meetings, Crise was often the one to interject humor. He did that again at the April 9 meeting, thanking his daughters Cynthia and Natalie for the experience he gained in the district while they were students.

"And for getting married during the summers of 2021 and 2023 when the agenda was light in SPS," he joked. "And to my daughter Cynthia, who helped me manage by Facebook account and hide any of the mean comments that were on there."

Crise was first elected in 2021 — alongside Danielle Kincaid and Maryam Mohammadkhani — but failed to win a second term. At that April 9 meeting, Kincaid and Mohammadkhani were sworn in along with first-time candidate Susan Provance, a retired Springfield teacher and coach.

In his final comments as a board member, Crise thanked Associated Electric Cooperative — where he works as the manager of gas plant operations — for the flexibility and time to serve. But he grew emotional when talking about his wife, Martha, and the role she played.

"Martha listened to me and let me vent and provided me with valuable advice and encouraged me to 'Just do the right thing, stay in your lane and be the better person.' I am a much better person because of her," he said. "She is simply the best."

Crise said he "gained a lot" from fellow board members and wished the best for them and Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

"I do ask that you follow the board norms to work together. I challenge you to go back and thoroughly review the board self-evaluation we've recently completed, do a deep dive into it," he said. "Please be respectful of each other, Dr. Lathan and her staff. Be the better person, work together with each other and Dr. Lathan for the betterment of the students of SPS."

In addition to Kincaid and Mohammadkhani, Crise served with current members Kelly Byrne, Steve Makoski, Shurita Thomas-Tate and Judy Brunner. Earlier in his term he served with former members Charles Taylor and Denise Fredrick, who were at the meeting along with former members Alina Lehnert and Bruce Renner.

In the past three years, the board hired Lathan, finished the projects in the 2019 bond issue and won voter support for the $220 million bond issue approved in April 2023.

Crise first got involved in SPS as a parent volunteer and PTA member . He started the WatchDOG Dads program at Sequiota Elementary, and served as a board member for the Foundation for SPS. He was part of a transportation workgroup and a liaison to the Community Task Force on Facilities.

Though much of Crise's exit speech was upbeat, he said "I can't leave without saying something about the grueling election process, especially the questioning" used by the Springfield National Education Association to select the candidates to endorse.

Springfield NEA endorsed Mohammadkhani along with Landon McCarter and Kyler Sherman-Wilkins, who did not win a seat. Crise was critical that the union did not endorse Provance, who won a seat, noting that she "dedicated her whole life to SPS students and made a difference in so many lives that she is in the SPS Hall of Fame."

More: Apparent rift between Springfield NEA, school district casts shadow over board election

Despite voicing those concerns, Crise noted the Springfield NEA — which represents 87% of employees in contract talks with the district — has a "very important place in Springfield Public Schools."

"The animosity that has developed between SPS administration and the SNEA leadership is not serving our students and families," Crise said. "As I exit this board, my greatest wish is that both sides can find a compromise, just meet in the middle and work together. Our district depends on it."

In the study session that followed the reorganization meeting April 9, Mohammadkhani and former board candidate Sherman-Wilkins — who addressed the board during public comments — also called for the district and Springfield NEA to figure out a way to work together.

Laura Mullins, president of the Springfield NEA, congratulated the newly elected or re-elected board members, She went over results of parent and employee surveys, which have not yet been made public, and said "immediate changes" are needed.

"Holding this district accountable is the role you are tasked with," Mullins said. "As always, we are happy to work with this superintendent and any elected board members."

Scott Crise called 'a good influence on this board'

As part of the farewell, sitting board members shared thoughts with Crise and his impact during the past three years of service.

Thomas-Tate said Crise was committed to doing "the hard work" and interjected humor so the board did not take itself too seriously.

"You have clearly been intentional in trying to provide balance and fairness, and that was appreciated," Thomas-Tate said. "I see your effort in maintaining relationships with everyone on the board. That's appreciated. It did not go unnoticed."

Mohammadkhani gave Crise a gift and thanked him for serving. Byrne described Crise as "a good man" who toiled over making difficult decisions.

"You have been a good influence on this board, especially when times were tough," he said. "You're always level-headed, rational, reasonable, intentional, best of intentions, so you really will be missed."

Brunner said she will miss Crise's engineering expertise, which provided another perspective as the board talked about school projects. "You asked great questions and I was in awe of what you could bring to that. And I really appreciate it."

She said it was clear that Crise was a careful listener and gave thought to what he was going to say.

Kincaid who was president of the board for the past year and was elected to continue in that role , said she valued Crise's service as vice president during that time. Brunner was elected the new vice president.

"It was an honor to serve in this team together. I don't think we could have gotten through this last year without that and I know part of that is also Martha so thanks for letting SPS borrow Scott's expertise for a while," she said. Then she joked that going forward "our phone calls can be fangirling over Taylor Swift."

California valedictorian will no longer give graduation speech over 'alarming' discussion

The university of southern california says asna tabassum will no longer speak at the ceremony after the discussion about her selection took on 'an alarming tenor'.

The University of Southern California said its valedictorian will no longer deliver a graduation speech this year, citing "substantial risks relating to security" over social media chatter surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Los Angeles school revealed that Asna Tabassum, a fourth-year student from Chino Hills, California, was selected as the valedictorian and would give a speech alongside two salutatorians. In a news release Monday, the university said she would no longer speak at the ceremony after the discussion about her selection took on "an alarming tenor."

The move comes after some students, alumni and others complained to the university about Tabassum's social media, which includes an Instagram bio that links to a pro-Palestine website.

"The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement," Provost Andrew Guzman said in a statement.

Guzman said the school can not ignore that similar risks led to harassment and violence at other campuses. He added that the school's Department of Public Safety and campus safety team have consulted to evaluate potential threats for graduation, which typically draws around 65,000 people.

"This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation – including the expectations of federal regulators – that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe," he said.

Groups call to reverse USC decision

Tabassum addressed the university's decision in a statement released through the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles.

"Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all," Tabassum said.

The council said the school's decision empowers voices of hate, violates its obligation to project students and "sends a terrible message to not only Muslim students at USC but all students who dare to express support for Palestinian humanity." It's also urging the community to demand the school to allow Tassabum to speak at graduation.

Among the calls against Tassabum as a graduation speaker were student group " Trojans For Israel ," who said her selection turned "an inclusive and meaningful milestone into an unwelcoming and intolerant environment forJewish graduates and their families."

The 2024 commencement ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 10.

War in Gaza stokes controversy worldwide

Controversies over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict have been amplified since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people.

Over 30,000 Palestinians  have died in Gaza since that day. The region is also difficult to access, leaving many civilians displaced and  facing famine .

The crisis had led to protests for the release of Israeli hostages  and to  call for a ceasefire in Gaza , with those speaking out in support of Israelis and Palestinians  on social media receiving threats.

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley

Value of Education Speech for Students and Children

Value of education speech.

Good Evening, Ladies and gentlemen. I am here before you today to present the Value of Education speech. Education is the basic human right. The value of education is very essential for the exercise of all other human rights. It provides freedom and empowerment to all individuals. Education is the most powerful tool by which economically and socially backward adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty line. It is the foundation of our society. Education helps to stimulate our minds and mold curious minds into intellectuals. Education takes the intellect to the next level. It provides a deeper understanding of the world around us. It forms the very essence of our actions.

Source: pixabay.com

Our behavior, our perception is what we have learned, either through instructions or through observation. Education is a ladder that can carry us to high limits. Without education, without knowledge, you cannot contribute to the world or earn money. Knowledge is power.

The value of education helps you know what you can do, and so you can go that extra mile. The value of education is much higher than we can express in words. It helps to remove dirt from our mind, doubts and fears what could lead us in backsteps. It helps to makes us happy and successful and makes us better human beings. The light of education removes the darkness, and suddenly we find how beautiful this world is.

Types of Education

We can divide the education system into 3 types; formal, informal and non-formal education. What we learn from school, colleges or universities gives us formal education. Informal education can be earned throughout our life. It doesn’t follow any specific syllabus or time table.

Learning informal education is endless and we continue to learn it as our lives go on. Non-formal education is often used interchangeably with terms such as community education, adult education, continuing education, and second-chance education.

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Importance of Education in Life

Reading, writing, and understanding is the first value that we receive from Education. Most information is done by writing. Without writing skill we will miss out on a lot of information. Consequently, Education makes people literate. Above all, Education is extremely important for employment. Proper education gives us a great opportunity to make a decent living.

We understood the values of education when we see people with a high paying job. Uneducated people have a huge disadvantage when it comes to jobs due to a lack of education. Better Communication is yet another role in Education. It enhances and improves the speech of a person. Educated individuals can express their views efficiently and in a clear manner.

Importance of Education in Society

The values of Education lies in spreading knowledge in society. Spreading of knowledge creates our environment and this is perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of Education. Education brings in the development and innovation in fields of technology, medicine, lifestyle, etc.

The more the proper education we get, the more technology will spread. Apart from this the value of education plays a very crucial role in securing a country’s economic and social progress and improving people’s income distribution.

The value of Education is the most important ingredient to change the world. It helps us to gain knowledge and that knowledge can be used to make a better living. Most importantly the value of education is something that can never be destroyed by any type of natural or manmade disaster. It plays an important role in an individual’s life. Education is the path for the development of society and the overall development of the Nation also.

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