Civic Education: Grade 6

CIVIC
EDUCATION
Grade 6
Educational Publications Department
To obtain textbooks in electronic medium

www.edupub.gov.lk
i
First Print - 2014
Second Print - 2015
Third Print - 2016
Forth Print - 2017
Fifth Print - 2018
Sixth Print - 2019
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 978 - 955 - 25 - 0084 - 8
Published by Educational Publications Department

Printed by S&S Printers (Pvt) Ltd.
No. 49, Jayantha Weerasekara Mawatha, Colombo 10.
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Being innovative, changing with right knowledge
Be a light to the country as well as to the world.
Message from the Hon. Minister of Education
The past two decades have been significant in the world history due to changes that
took place in technology. The present students face a lot of new challenges along
with the rapid development of Information Technology, communication and other
related fields. The manner of career opportunities are liable to change specifically in
the near future. In such an environment, with a new technological and intellectual
society, thousands of innovative career opportunities would be created. To win
those challenges, it is the responsibility of the Sri Lankan Government and myself,
as the Minister of Education, to empower you all.
This book is a product of free education. Your aim must be to use this book properly
and acquire the necessary knowledge out of it. The government in turn is able to
provide free textbooks to you, as a result of the commitment and labour of your
parents and elders.
Since we have understood that the education is crucial in deciding the future of
a country, the government has taken steps to change curriculum to suit the rapid
changes of the technological world. Hence, you have to dedicate yourselves to
become productive citizens. I believe that the knowledge this book provides will
suffice your aim.
It is your duty to give a proper value to the money spent by the government on
your education. Also you should understand that education determines your future.
Make sure that you reach the optimum social stratum through education.
I congratulate you to enjoy the benefits of free education and bloom as an honoured
citizen who takes the name of Sri Lanka to the world.
Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

Minister of Education
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Foreword
The educational objectives of the contemporary world are
becoming more complex along with the economic, social, cultural and
technological development. The learning and teaching process too is
changing in relation to human experiences, technological differences,
research and new indices. Therefore, it is required to produce the textbook
by including subject related information according to the objectives in the
syllabus in order to maintain the teaching process by organizing learning
experiences that suit to the learner needs. The textbook is not merely a
learning tool for the learner. It is a blessing that contributes to obtain a
higher education along with a development of conduct and attitudes, to
develop values and to obtain learning experiences.\
The government in its realization of the concept of free education has

offered you all the textbooks from grades 1-11. I would like to remind you
that you should make the maximum use of these textbooks and protect
them well. I sincerely hope that this textbook would assist you to obtain
the expertise to become a virtuous citizen with a complete personality
who would be a valuable asset to the country.
I would like to bestow my sincere thanks on the members of the editorial

and writer boards as well as on the staff of the Educational Publications
Department who have strived to offer this textbook to you.
W. M. Jayantha Wickramanayaka
Commissioner General of Educational Publications
Isurupaya
Battaramulla.
10-04-2019
vi
Monitoring and Supervision
W.M. Jayantha Wickramanayaka - Commissioner General of Educational Publications
Direction
W.A. Nirmala Piyaseeli - Commissioner (Development)
Co-ordination
Dakshina Kasturiarachchi - Assistant Commissioner,
Editor Board
Vishaka Sooriyabandara - Senior Lecturer,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
A.H.T. Thakshila Jayamini - Vice President,

Ruhuna National College of Education
S.V.Y. Kumari De Silva - Senior Lecturer,

National Institute of Education
R.M.P.A. Gunathilaka - Senior Lecturer,

Siyana National Institute of Education,
Palitha Aravinda Virakkodi - Assistant Commissioner,

Dakshina Kasturiarachchi - Assistant Commissioner,
Writer Board
C.S.Jayasinha - Manager of Teacher Center - Horana
Anoma Karunarathna - In Service Advisor,

Zonal Education Office - Colombo
M.K. Kingsli Priyantha - Senior Lecturer,

College of Education College of Education
J.M.M. Jayasundara - Teachers’ Service
K.D.D. Percival - Retired Senior Lecturer,

National Institute of Education.
P.N. Nimesha Dilshni Dayarathne - Assistant Lecturer,

University of Kelaniya
Illustrations and Cover Page

D. H. Mithila Udara - IT Unit
Technical Assistance
A. Asha Amali Weerarathna - IT Unit
vii
viii
Index
Our School 01 - 39
The Region We Live in 40 - 60
A Good Citizen 61 - 91
ix
Our School
01
Introduction
Apart from home, the environment that is most familiar to us

is our school. The school performs an immense service in moulding
us into good citizens possessing intelligence, quality and merit. The
school is an institution that contributes not only to the development
of the individual but also to the development of society. How much
has the school influenced us in providing the competencies and skills
necessary to contribute to the development of society as an active
member? That is why we honour and respect the school since it
produces a successful person to society. By studying this chapter you
will get the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to identify
your school, and work as an active, commendable member of society.
Fig 1.1
for free distribution 1

Let us identify the school
1.1 History of our School
Your family, your village and you have a history. Similarly, your
school too has a history. History, is the study of past events, particularly
in human affairs.
What is meant by the history of a school is the study of its
development from the day it was started up to the present day.
"The source" is the common name that helps us to identify all the
things in history.
Given below are several sources that help you find information
about the history of your school.
³ Plaques placed at various locations in the school
³ Old documents, pictures, and photographs in the city or
village library
³ Retired principals and teachers
³ Documents maintained in the school (log-books, student
admission registers, mark books, census reports)
³ Chiefs of places of religious worship
³ Past students
The students of Grade 6 discussed to seek information regarding
their school. For this purpose present students decided to invite the first
student admitted to the school to get information from him or her.
With the help of the teacher the students met the school principal
to get information about the history of their school. They wanted to get
particulars about the first student admitted to the school. The principal
gave them the opportunity to examine the old admission register of the
school. This is what had been entered in it about the first student to be
admitted to the school.
Admission Date of Name of student Date of birth
Number admission
M.A. Appuhamy 1930.01.30
01
1935.01.09
2 for free distribution

The subject teacher was able to bring eighty year old Mr. M.A.
Appuhamy to the school, with the help of the past students of the school
and parents. Mr. Appuhamy who came to the school on the invitation of
the teacher was received by the students with a sheaf of betel.
The principal introduced the visitor
amidst the applause of the students.
After receiving Mr. Appuhamy, the
subject teacher explained what the
students wanted to know about the
history of the school. Mr. Appuhamy
revealed to the students details
regarding the past of the school, in an
interesting manner. ''My dear sons,
daughters, I felt very happy when I
Fig 1.2 came to this place. I remembered the
day when I, as a child like you, was
admitted to this school.
As my parents told me, this school had been started in 1935 as a
government school. That was for the children of the village who found
it difficult to go to the school in the city. Those days, there were only
two schools in the city. One was a missionary school. The other was a
Buddhist school. There were not many families in the village. There
were only about twenty families residing here. Most of the people in
the village were farmers by occupation. There were potters also. My
father was a businessman.There were carters and chena cultivators.
There were also children who did not attend school, in the village. The
children of the rich people of the village went to the schools in the city.
But it was not that easy to go to the city as now. It took quite a long
time to get to the city along the gravel road, by buggy cart. Most people
walked to the city.
This school was first started by Mr. M.A. Bandara, on a small
block of land at the end of the bazaar that belonged to my father. It was
a small cadjan thatched, wattle and daub room. The teacher was Mr.
Sekara Vidanarachchi. After leaving a little space for the staff room,
the rest was used for the school. I was the first student to be admitted.
Afterwards, about fourteen students were admitted to the school, from
time to time. The small building in the distance was where the school
was located at first.
''Studying along with me in the same class were Pelis,
Shanmugam, Dingiri Banda, Uma, Piyasena and Cader. Later, various
philanthropists donated lands and buildings. We got desks and chairs.
Till then, we studied sitting on long benches. Later, more children came
and the number of teachers increased. Later, our school was made a
Central College. It was only after that we got large buildings, laboratory
and other facilities.
''Not only children of the village, clever children from
neighbouring areas too came to this school for further education. I too
entered university. The school produced academics and professionals
who rendered an effective service to the country. On completion of my
university education, I was appointed to this same school as a teacher.''
''On the first day, I assumed duties, the principal introduced me
at the morning assembly as a brilliant student of this school. Later, I
became the principal of the school. The school today is more developed
than it was at our time. It will improve further in future. My request
to all of you is to be one like me, who can speak with pride about
your school" saying this Mr. Appuhamy concluded his speech. All the
students applauded with pleasure.
On the following day, during the Citizenship Education period
the students discussed with the teacher what they had learned from Mr.
Appuhamy. The teacher's view was that further information could be
gathered from the documents available in the school. The documents
were examined, with the permission of the principal. Much of the facts
available were correct. The students felt really proud of their school.

 Activity 1
1. Your school too has a history as the above school. Based on the
sources that helped you to find the history of your school, answer
the following questions.
(i) What reason initiated to start your school?
(ii) When was your school started?
(iii) Name the pioneers who strated the school.

02. Complete the table below in relation to your school.
At the beginning At Present
Name of your school
Land area
Name of principal
Number of buildings
Number of staff members
Number of students
03. i Write the names of brilliant students produced by your school

and the fields where they excelled.
ii Select one of them and write an article to the notice board
appreciating the service rendered by him/her.
04. Having identified the sources that can be used to learn history,
prepare an article for the wall paper regarding the history of your
school.
1.2 Let us inquire on the organizational structure of the
school
The organizational structure of the school is the manner in which
the administration and the developmental affairs of the school are
organized. This organizational structure may change according to the
number of students and the teachers in the school. In your school too,
there is an organizational structure.
Rough plan of a school organizational structure
Students
Class Monitors
Prefects
Teachers - in - charge of Grades
Deputy Principal
Past Students Principal School Development Committee


 Activity 2
1. Answer the following questions based on school organizational

structure.
(i). What is the main designation related to the administration of the
school?
(ii).Why is an administrative structure necessary for a school?
Write 02 reasons.
2. Prepare a chart showing the administrative structure of your
school.
The different roles of the school administrative structure
Teachers
Deputy / Assistant
Principal Sectional Student Prefects
Head
Principal Non -
Academic Staff
Diagram 1.1
Responsibilities and duties of the members of school
(Role of the principal)
² Act as the head of the school and pilot of educational
activities.
² Admission of students, their assignment into classes
and assignment of teachers.
² Preparation of time tables and organization of
classroom teaching activities.
² Launching of activities related to the development and
welfare of the staff.
² Implementation of the curriculum and its development.
² Supervision of teaching.
² Evaluation of teachers.
² Supervision of students' evaluation and discipline
² As the Head of the school
³ Implementation of the rules and regulations of
the ministry and being responsible to the ministry
about them.
³ Uplift the level of the school keeping close
relationships with parents, past students, external
community and institutions.
³ Acquisition of equipment and sports material
necessary for the school and providing the space for
their use.
² Teachers
³ Inculcating decipline and decorum
³ Provide proper guidance to students for character
development.
³ Co - operation with all members of the school
society and functioning with commitment.
³ Development of knowledge, attitudes and skills
relevant to the subject.
³ Working in conformity with accepted norms,
regulations and values.
³ Contributing to the educational and physical
development of the school.
³ Conducting school term tests and submitting marks.
³ Implementing School Based Assessments.
³ Maintaining a pleasant environment within the
classroom.
³ Treating all students equally.
³ Involving students in good acts and introducing
them to society.
² Non-academic staff
³ Assisting the principal and the staff to implement
school activities.
³ Assisting in the provision of facilities to the students
for their educational activities.

³ Assisting in the maintenance of cleanliness and
beauty of the school garden.
³ Assisting security activities.
³ Maintaining goodwill with students.
² Students
³ Attending school daily.
³ Diligent involvement in studies.
³ Respecting the principal and the staff.
³ Co-operating and maintaining cordial relations with
other students of the school.
³ Behave to safeguard the dignity of the school.
³ Safeguard rules, regulations and.traditions and
maintain discipline of the school.
³ Safeguarding the resources of school.
³ Assisting the systematic maintenance and
cleanliness of the school environment.
When the duties and responsibilities mentioned above are
fulfilled by individuals, it will greatly help raise the quality and the
development of the school.

 Activity 3
Meet three of the following and write three functions assigned to each
of them.
I. Principal or Deputy Principal
II. Sectional Head
III. Class Teachers
IV. Prefects

 Activity 4
1) Based on the diagram below, name the various organizations in the

structure of your school.
2) Give three functions performed by each of them.
School
Sports
Development
Committee
Committee
Welfare
Other Committee
Other roles
within the school Board of
Scouting
structure Prefects
Committee
Discipline Environmental
Committee Religious Committee
Committee
Diagram 1.2
1.3. I myself enquire information regarding me
As a student of the school, the facts given in the diagram will
help you to identify your self correctly.
My personal
information
(one’s identity)
Obstacles and
challenges I face
in life
My skills Good
My characteristics I
Weaknesses possess
Diagram 1.3
1.3.1. WHO AM I?
Every citizen has an identity. In order to recognize your
identity as a student, answer the questions below.

 Activity 5
(1) Your full name :................................

Your age :................................
Your address :................................
Date of admission to school :................................
Admission number given to you :...............................
(2) To confirm the accuracy of information, mark " " in the box
given.
1. The way you confirmed the correctness of your full name.
Father Mother
Guardian Class teacher
Birth certificate
2. The way you confirmed the correctness of your age
Father Mother
Guardian Birth certificate

Class teacher A family member/relation
Counting
3. The way you confirmed the correctness of your address

Father Mother
Family members School
From the electoral register Grama Niladari
4. The way you confirmed the correctness of your date of admission

Father Mother
Guardian Attendance
register
Class teacher Attendance register
5. The way you confirmed the correctness of your admission number
Class teacher Admission
register
Attendance register

 Activity 6
1) Enter your personal information and complete the given bio-data.
Bio-data
1. Name with initials :...............................................
2. Data of birth :...............................................
3. Age on January 1st this year :...............................................
Years Months Days
4. Private address :...............................................
5. Telephone No. (If available) :...............................................
6. Name and address of
informant in an emergency :...............................................
(His/her phone No. if available)
7. Name of your school :......................................
8. Address of your school :......................................
9. School telephone number :......................................
10. Date of admission to school :......................................
11. Distance to your residence from school :......................................
.................................... ..................................................
Date Signature
You are an extra special individual. No one on

earth is equal to you. You should be your own
self. That is your identity.

One's good qualities
Sewwandi, a grade 6 student of Nelum class of Wewegama Junior
school, wrote down her good qualities as follows.
Respect others
Patience
Kind
Simple The Good

Qualities I Truthful
Possess
Disciplined
Honest
Happy
Diagram 1.4

 Activity 7
1. Identify good qualities you possess as shown above and write them.
2. Write the instances you really exhibited your good qualities mentioned
above.
eg :- Truthfulness: Telling the teacher, the true reason for getting late
to school.
Showing one's skills
Fig 1.3 - An instance to show Fig 1.4 - A boy wining the high-jump
learning as a skill event at a Provincial Sports meet
Fig 1.5 - A group of students exhibiting Fig 1.6 - A group of students preparing
their aesthetic abilities. cool drinks to serve at a primary school
sportsmeet.
Fig 1.7 - Grade 6 students helping

small students in the primary school
sportsmeet

 Activity 8
Create an exhibit to show your talents using left overs, clay or

young cadjan leaves.
Think of the points below in order to identify the talents you possess.
1. What are the talents you have displayed?
2. What are the instances where you had been a winner?
3. What are the creations you have made?
4. Have you identified the talents of others?
5. What are the words you used to show your appreciation of those
talents?
6. What are the abilities others feel you possess?
7. For which talent of yours do others praise you?
8. What did you feel when others praised you?
Focus your attention on the life story of a great Sri Lankan who
utilized his talents in his childhood, to conquer life.
Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara
Christopher William Wijekoon
Kannangara was born on the 13th of October
1884 in the village of Randomba situated
between Balapitiya and Ambalangoda. He
lost his mother, at the age of six, but his
step-mother treated him well.
Showing many talents in his childhood,
he got his primary education from Randombe
Fig 1.8
Wesley Missionary School. At a prize giving
of the school, little Kannangara received many prizes from the chief
guest, Rev. J. H. Darel, the principal of Richmond College.
When C.W.W. Kannangara was 14 years old he won a
scholarship to Richmond College. He received free board and lodging
with facilities for education. Being quite satisfied with these facilities
he focused his attention completely on studies, utilizing the facilities to
the maximum. He never expected special privileges. It might have been
because of the tough experiences that he had to face during his schooling
that made up his mind to bring relief to the under privileged children
of Sri Lanka. Being a very clever student, he scored the highest marks
in Mathematics at the Cambridge Senior Examination of 1903. He was
the leader of the school cricket team and a member of the football team.
He was famous as a talented debater and an actor at school. He served
as a teacher at the Richmond college. Serving as a teacher at Prince of
Wales College, Moratuwa and Wesley College, he studied law.
He joined the legal profession in 1910. While practising as a
lawyer he was involved in social work and politics. In 1923 he became
a member of the State Council representing the Galle District. In 1931
C.W.W.Kannangara was reelected as a member of the State Legislative
Council and he was the president of Sri Lanka Jathika Sangamaya as
well.
He was the president of the executive committee on education of
the state council and became the first Minister of Education in 1931.
He was the pioneer of free education in Sri Lanka. C.W.W. Kannangara
paved the path to all children to obtain free education from primary
to university level while establishing Central Colleges and vernacular
education system in Sri Lanka. Thus, C.W.W. Kannangara performed
a dedicated service for the betterment of Sri Lankan education. As
gratitude to his devoted service he was called the Father of Free
Education of Sri Lanka.
One's own life experience
Life experiences others possess
From within the family or through social
groups one represents
By participating oneself with various
training programs implemenated in society.
Methodologies that can be Through the use of electronic media,(Video
utilized for the development clips, internet, TV Programs, Radio
of the abilities and talents Programmes
that individuals possess Obtaining knowledge and experiences of
veterans in various fields of skill
Newspapers
Observing the experiences of others and
acting creatively
Refering to and the study of books and
writings relevant to one's field of abilities
Diagram 1.5

 Activity 9
1.Collect information on several local as well as foreign individuals

who made life successful through their talents and with the help of
the teacher complete the grid below by writing the fields in which
they exhibited their talents.

Name Field in which talent was exhibited Talent
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2. Prepare a booklet containing information on the life of one of the
individuals above.
3. Write your talents as a student.
4. Present to the class information on a skill of a particular friend that
you appreciate.
Have you identified your own talents? What should you do to
develop these talents@
³ Identify what you can and what you like to do for
doing it better.
³ Display your talent where and when appropriate
and thereby build self-confidence in you.
³ Understand that your talents are important for the
progress of society and improving them.
³ Realize that you can get the maximum use of your
skills through the awareness of the nature of life and
connect them with your own skills.
By excluding the things that are difficult for you or those you
do not like, you can build up the aims of your life according to
your talents and abilities
One's Weaknesses
Here are some weaknesses written down on the blackboard by the
students of grade 6 '' Araliya'' class.

Teasing friends
Suspicion Harassing others
The story of a child who made a habit of telling lies

In a certain village there was a child who herded cattle. This boy
who made telling lies a habit took his herd to a lawn in the middle of a
forest for grazing. One day he began to scream....."Oh the tiger is here,
please save me." Some people who were cutting firewood in the forest,
ran to the place where the child was screaming. Then the boy stopped
screaming and laugh sarcastically, He said,
"Oh! You got fooled, hoo, hoo, you got fooled!"
A few days later, this child began to scream as on the previous
day from the middle of the forest," screaming the tiger is here, please
save me!... That day too the people who heard him came running and
realized that they had been fooled once again. They felt ashamed. On
another day, when this boy was grazing the cattle a tiger actually came
towards him, growling.
The child continued to scream....." the tiger has come, .....oh save
me." Although the men who had come to the forest heard this cry they
did not pay much heed nor did they go towards where the cry came
from. Next day the people of the village came to know that the boy who
went to herd the cattle had actually been attacked by the tiger.
The one who tells lies cannot be believed even when he is
telling the truth.
As shown above, you too may have weaknesses. You, yourself must
identify your weaknesses before others point them out to you.

Actions to be taken to minimize one's weaknesses
³ Identification of own weaknesses
³ Be humble enough to accept one's weaknesses when
others point them out to you.
³ Determine to minimize one's weaknesses as much
as possible.
³ Take action to see that the identified weaknesses do not
re-occur again.

 Activity 10
1. Complete the following grid with the guidance of your teacher.

One's own weaknesses Action that may be taken to
minimize them.
1
2
3
4
5
2' Write out the disadvantages you faced because of these weaknesses.
Obstacles and Challenges you face
As a student, you may have faced challenges when involved in
your educational activities. These may be various challenges such as
economic difficulties, failure of others to respect your identity, failure to
get leadership, failure of others to accept you, pressure from rebellious
students etc.
Every individual has to face challenges in life. You should believe
that every challenge can be converted to strength that promotes success
in life. Individuals who overcome challenges have become successful
individuals, in the world.

Let us focus attention on information regarding an
individual who faced challenges and conquered life.
Senaka Bibile, born on the

13th of February 1920 A.D. made
Kathaluwa Ahangama in the
district of Galle, his home.
He, who entered Trinity
College, Kandy for his basic
education faced a childhood
full of wants and needs. On
completing primary and
secondary education he entered
Fig 1.9 the medical faculty of the
Colombo University.
Being an extremely clever student he won the gold medal for
medicine and gold medal for surgery, a rare achievement for a student.
In 1954 he became the head of the pharmacology department setup for
the first time at the faculty of medicine. He was the first professor of
pharmacology.
His main objective in life was to offer low - price pharmaceuticals
to patients. In order to achieve this objective he became the founder of
the State Osusala. His policy was to import the pharmaceuticals with
the help the government and distribute them through the State Osusala.
He emphasized the importance of using the original name of the drug
instead of its commercial name. The drug policy he introduced was
highly recognized and appreciated by the World Health Organization.
During the latter part of his life, while on a trip to popularize his
principle of providing essential drugs to patients at affordable rates in
third world countries, he passed away in Ghana.


 Activity 11
1. Identify the obstacles/challenges, you face. Write out what kind of

action you would take to overcome them.
2. Considering the example given below, complete the following table.
Challenges How you Its outcome

you faced faced them
To you To the To your
members of school
your family
e.g: Failure Inculcating Developing Be proud of Be diligent
to become leadership self yourself to be a
class qualities confidence student
monitor in you with real
leadership
qualities
You should know that there are different ways to face the
challenges and should understand to follow them.
Opportunities provided by the school for one's development

Knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits you acquire in school
are of immense help to exist as a good citizen. The school provides
you with subject knowledge and awareness. Similarly, while providing
you with opportunities where such talents can be exhibited, it trains
co-existance.

Opportunities provided by the school for your development.
Fig 1.10 Fig 1.11

Involvement in a Shramadana campaign Involvement in classroom learning
Fig 1.12 Fig 1.13

Engaging in free activities under A felicitation ceremony for
teacher guidence teachers

 Activity 12
Answer the questions below based on the pictures given above. (Get the
assistance of the subject teacher for this purpose.)
i. What are the advantages you get as a student by participating in the
above functions?
ii. Write an article to a wall newspaper about the contribution made by
your school for the development of your character as a student.
iii. On the topic "The school is like a mother protecting us", write a
few verses or an article to the school magazine.

As a student you should have noble objectives for your success
in life. It is very important that these objectives are good and fruitful.
Inculcation of wholesome aims contributes not only for you but for
the social progress as well. What types of wholesome aims should you
possess for the success of your life as a Grade 6 student?
³ Obtaining over 80 marks in each subject.
³ Cultivation of leadership skills.
³ Getting the opportunity to participate in sports on behalf of
your school.
³ Development of the ability to use second languages in addition
to mother tongue.
³ Development of the ability to use the computer.
If it is difficult to achieve these goals, alternate paths should be
used where necessary. When one path is closed, another path will open
for you. What you should do is to be vigilant in that regard. Sometimes,
when pursuing goals, we may encounter challenges or make mistakes.
In order to face such situations it is necessary that, we develop qualities
such as self-confidence, will power, interest, commitment, as an interest
in minimizing our weaknesses.
Actions that can be taken to achieve your goals
² Read supplementary books related to subjects.
² Watch educational programmes.
² Proper use of textbooks.
² Exchange knowledge and experience.
² Improve inborn talents by engaging in sports and co-curricular
activities.

1.4 Let us work to a plan
Planning is essential for life. Planning is the implementation of
segments of tasks within a time-frame in order to carry out the task more
effectively. Learning to perform one's tasks orderly and systematically,
is very important for a student both at home and school.
What can be done to getting up in the morning and going to school at
the proper time?
e.g - Before going to bed, arrange the books according to the time
table, keep the school uniforms ready and get up early.
Realize Save time
objectives
Facilitate task
Ensure Advantages
happiness derived through
planning and Minimize
organization problems
Develop self
Use resources
confidence
frugally
Reduce mental
stress
Diagram 1.6

 Activity 13
1. Prepare a timetable of your daily tasks which help you as a student

to get the maximum use of time available.
Given below are the characteristics of a student who is systematic and
those of a student who is unsystematic.
Systematic Unsystematic
Works systematically Neglects essential steps
Makes maximum use of time Habitually late
Achieves one's goals Possibilities for regret
Free from mental stress Works under mental stress
Wins challenges easily Difficult to face challenges
Assisting planning and implementing of cleanliness of the school
and classroom.
Given below are some points which you should pay attention to.
Prepare a program that can be carried out in order to keep the classroom
tidy and orderly.
³ Survey of the material available for use in
the classroom.
³ Identify and make a list of shortages.
³ Collect suggestions to maintain proper cleanliness
and order.
³ Prioritize suggestions.
³ Programme and implement the suggestions.

 Activity 14
Taking the above points into consideration, prepare a program to

be implemented in order to maintain the front area of Grade 6 classroom
in a pleasant manner.
By working according to a plan, on various occasions, in the school

or in the classroom, that task can be performed with greater success
and minimum oversights.
Form into several groups, select one of the topics given below and
prepare a suitable plan.
² At a sportsmeet ² At a felicitation ceremony

for teachers
² At a prize-giving ² Children's Day commemoration
² At a concert
School Culture
The rules and regulations, traditions, customs and emblem representing
the school are part of the school culture.
Reasons for the need of rules and regulations to a school
³ To build a good learning environment in the school.
³ To administer the school systematically.
³ To make disciplined students.
³ To safeguard the rights of the school community properly.
³ To safeguard the identity of the school.
When taking the above into consideration, you will realize that
the rules in the school are there for your own benefit.
In order to conform well the rules of the schools, you have to
master them. Loyalty will safeguard your dignity. As a student you are
entitled to numerous rights. To enjoy the rights properly and to perform
your duties with that regard safeguarding the rights of your fellow
student, you are to adhere to the rules and regulations of the school. If
you are law-abiding it contributes to the well-being of the school.
A few rules and regulations of the school regarding
students
² Attend school regularly.
² Arrive at school in time.
² Dress in the school uniform.
² Stay in school during school hours.
² Follow the time table during studies.
² Be obedient to the principal and teachers and respect them.
² Be obedient to leadership.
² Safeguard the traditions of the school.
Traditions observed in the school
Customs and conventions that have existed in the school
systems for a long time are considered traditions. Traditions, rules and
regulations in the school are very important. Therefore, you should be
aware of the traditions that are followed in the school. You should be
familiar with these traditions. There are traditions unique to your school
followed at the morning assembly and at the end of session.
There are traditions observed from a long time on the tailoring of
the school uniform. At school prize giving, at inter-house sportsmeets,
there are traditions unique to each school. Discuss with your subject
teacher, and understand the traditions that are followed in your school.
Importance of safeguarding traditions
² Building discipline in students.
² Producing a group endowed with self respect.
² Safeguarding the identity of the school.
² Handing them over to the future generation of students.

 Activity 15
² Write down two rules and regulations and two traditions of your
school.
² Prepare a code of rules suitable for your class.
Emblems representing the identity of the school
Motto
The motto of the school is designed as an example in moulding
the lives of students.
Discuss the meaning of your school motto. Make your school
motto an example for your life. It will serve you to make your future a
success.

 Activity 16
² Write out the motto of your school.

² Explain its meaning in brief.
School Crest
The school crest is important as a symbol representing the identity
of the school.

and car Symbols and colours are used for the school
are e
Sh crest. Symbols like the oil lamp, the sun are
included in most school crests.
Pay attention to the colours and symbols in your
school crest. Discuss them with your teacher.
Vid
a
ya lay
Nike ya
thana Vid Situations where the school crest is used
² School uniform
² Stationery of the school
² Books and publications of the school
² To imply the ownership of the school
² To denote the identity of the school

 Activity 17
² Produce a model of your school crest using material easily available

to you.
² Explain what the colours and symbols in it stand for.
² Trace instances where the crest of your school had been used.
School Flag
The school flag is another symbol that
an
represents the identity of your school. The
iketh a Vid
aN
school flag comprises of various colours
ya
y
id
la
V
ya
and symbols. You may have seen that

certain school flags are designed including
the school crest and motto.
Fig 1.14
The colours and symbols in a school flag have been used in order to
represent various ideas. Inquire from your teacher what the colours and
symbols in the flag of your school represent.
Situations when the school flag is used.
² At the morning assembly of the school.
² At the inter-house sportsmeet.
² At other functions held in the school.
The way to postures when the school flag is raised.
² One should face the flag standing at attention.
² Raise the school flag with dignity.
² Everybody should join in singing the school anthem.
As the school flag is a symbol representing your school, it should
always be the focus of your respect.

 Activity 18
² Draw your school flag.

² Name the colours and symbols in it and describe in short what
they represent.
School Anthem
Every school has a school anthem. It is a symbol that denotes the identity
of the school.
The mission of the school anthem
² Generate views in the minds of students regarding the service
rendered to the nation by the school.
² Develop respect, pride and love for the school.
² Depict the identity of the school.
Recall your school anthem and its meaning. In most school anthems it
can be noticed that the school is addressed as '' Mother ''.
Instances where the school Anthem is sung
² Commencement of school.
² On special functions of the school.
² At inter-house sportsmeets.
Recall instances where the school anthem is sung in your school.

The way and the posture to sing the school anthem
² Singing the school anthem to the tune.
² Singing the school anthem in a manner to show pride and respect.
² Standing at attention.
² Not to be involved in any other task when singing the school
anthem.
Train yourself to sing the school anthem to tune, standing at attention.

 Activity 19
² Write the meaning of your school anthem, in simple language.

² Quote the words in your school anthem that imply good qualities
like unity, service rendered by the school to society.
² Collect the anthems of two of your neighboring schools and
discuss their meanings with the help of your teacher.
Vision of the school
Given below is the vision of a school. Read it well. Try to
understand its meaning.
Vision of our school
Gifting to society a set of students, endowed with wisdom and abilities.
Discuss with your teacher the ''Vision'' of your school and try to
understand its meaning.
You will realize that the ''Vision'' expresses its aims it proposes to
achieve in the future.
When you complete your education well and enter society as a
good citizen, the ''Vision'' of the school is achieved.
Mission Statement
Consult your teacher and find out where the mission statement
of your school is displayed. Read the mission statement well and note
it down in your exercise book. Get the help of your teacher for its
meaning.

It is you, students who receive the service of the school. The
mission performed by your school for you is expressed in the mission.
When that mission is successful, the ability to gift good citizens to the
country is achieved.
The service rendered by the school to society is immense. Given
below is a statement highlighting its value and importance.
'' The opening of a single school results in closing one prison''
This expression states that the school gifts good citizens to society.

 Activity 20
² Extract the vision of your school according to the instructions of

your teacher and note it in your exercise book. Inquire about its
meaning.
² Inquire from a friend of yours studying in another school about

the ''Vision'' of that school and note it down in your exercise book.
Inquire about the meaning.
School Uniform
The school uniform is very important because it represents the
culture of the school. A uniform is used by all students in schools.
Every year the government provides material free to students for their
uniforms.
Each school has a uniform specific to it. And also, it helps
represent the identity of that school.
Tailoring of the uniform according to proper standards is not
only the identity of the school but it is also the law. Similarly, it not only
represents the identity of the school but also displays an appearance of
uniformity among students.
What the uniform expresses is the identity of your school.
Therefore, once you are dressed in the uniform of your school, you
have to safeguard its honour.


 Activity 21
² Draw a picture of your school uniform.

1.6 Let us do our duties and accept our responsibilities
while enjoying our rights
As a member of the school community, everybody in the school
takes action to ensure that you get the rights below. These are your
rights as a member of the school.
² The right to education.
² The right for the development of one's talents.
² The right to security.
² The right to equality.
² The right to express one's ideas.
² The right to associate with one's peers in school.
² The right to safeguard one's identity.
As a student you have the right to be provided with all facilities
necessary to carry out your educational activities. The government
provides additional things to safeguard your rights and for the
development of your abilities. Here are some examples.
² Provision of free education.
² Provision of free school textbooks.
² Provision of free uniform material.
² Provision of laboratory facilities.
² Provision of sports materials.
² Provision of library facilities.
² Provision of computer facilities.
² Provision of language labs.
While enjoying your rights, you should pay attention to meeting
your responsibilities. Meeting your responsibilities in this manner
results in further confirmation of your rights.
Education is a right of yours. Being properly involved in your
educational activities, being disciplined, being law-abiding, working
on par with other students, are your duties. Similarly, acting so as to
safeguard the rights of other students, is one of your duties. Prevention
of your friends from involvement in undesirable activities is not only
your duty but also your responsibility. Similarly you are expected to
protect the school properties as it is your duty.
Being obedient to teachers and respecting them are responsibilities
of yours. While you have the right to security within the school, it is
your duty to safeguard that rights of other students.
Contributing to the protection of the environment you live in is a
duty of yours. You should take interest in keeping your classroom clean
and tidy. Similarly, you should contribute to the maintenance of a clean
school environment.
The school community is a diverse community. The school society
is made up of students of various age levels. There are students who are
older than you as well as students who are younger than you studying
in your school.
Similarly, there will be students who belong to different ethnic
groups studying there. There could be students of various religions
studying. It is most important that you consider them as children of the
same mother and treat everybody with a sense of brotherhood.
In spite all such diversities, all the members of the school
community are entitled to equal rights. Acting in a manner that
safeguards the rights of everyone is a duty you have to carry out.

 Activity 22
² Complete the table below with the guidance of your teacher. (An
example of a duty related to a right has been provided.)
Your rights as a student Duties related to these rights
Presenting one's views Respecting the views of others.
Receiving education .......................................
Being secure in school .......................................
Improving one's abilities .......................................

1.7 Implementing duties between teachers and students
The existence of cordial relations between teachers and students
greatly influences the success of the education of students. Your
commitment in the implementation of your duties by your teachers
contributes to the maintenance of teacher-pupil relations at a level of
excellence.
Your duties by your teachers
³ Involvement in your studies with commitment.
³ Helping and supporting when and where necessary.
³ Accepting the advice and instructions of your teachers and
acting accordingly.
³ Behaving decently.
³ Respecting and being obedient to the teacher.
Duties and responsibilities of teachers by their students
Functioning with commitment to provide you with a good education
is the most important responsibility of your teachers by you.
Making all of you good, virtuous students is the duty and
responsibility of teachers. For this purpose, your teachers would be
giving you a lot of advice. The objective here is the development of the
skills necessary to spend a wholesome and good social life in the future.
Your teachers will also take action to ensure your security and
safety. Your conformity to such action will ensure your safety and
security.
Similarly, your teachers will take action to provide you with
guidance and advice in the solution of the problems you face in your
day to day life.
It is possible that in your pursuit of activities related to your
education you have to face certain problems. Similarly, even in the
pursuit of your day to day activities in life, there can arise situations
that are problematic. Even in such situations, your teachers will provide
you with guidance and advice on how to face them and overcome them.

It is your teachers who spot out your talents and make a
tremendous effort to sharpen them for you and introduce you to society.
Therefore, it is your duty to determine to safeguard the honour and
dignity of your teachers, avail yourself of their services and become an
effective individual for your country.
The responsibilities of students by their peers in school
As a member of the school community, you should pay attention to
perform your duties and responsibilities by your peers in school.
Co - operation, equal consideration for the others, engaging in good
deeds, helping in need, caring for the younger students and maintaining
good behaviour as a model for them are your main responsibilities.

 Activity 23
² List the duties that you have to carry out for your teachers.
² Make a list of responsibilities you owe to your colleagues.
1.8. The bond between the school and society
The school is considered an essential institution that takes action to
satisfy the needs anticipated by society.
Various relationships that exist between the school and society
Diagram 1.7

There are various groups of people and organizations that maintain
good relations with the school. The school maintains good relationship
in numerous ways with these groups. The diagram above contains such
relationships.
When mutual relations are maintained between the school
and society, service is rendered by society to the school and
by the school to society
³ Producing good citizens
³ Improving literacy of the public
³ Training of future leaders
³ Providing education to children and guiding them to lead a
good life
³ Transforming children into law-abiding individuals
³ Exhibiting children's talents
³ Giving messages to the community
³ Providing resources in the school for the needs of society
Importance of sending children to school
Learning to observe health habits

The messages conveyed
to the neighbouring Observing good habits
community by the school
Importance of proper nutrition
Importance of safeguarding the

environment
Diagram 1.8
Services rendered by society to the school

³ Assisting in the development activities of the school.
³ Safeguarding the property of the school.
³ Getting the services provided by the neighbouring
organizations.
³ Participating in the various festivals of the school.
³ Taking action to have the cultural heritage and social values
introduced to the school curriculum.
³ Educating the school on good hygienic methods and modern
technological techniques.
Let us learn about ways in which the school maintains relations
with the community
Action is being taken, under the ongoing school development
programs to get the other people associated with the school to join the
internal staff for the development of the school.
Their goals are as below:
³Provide a good education to all
³Inculcate the positive feeling of ''School is ours'' among the
students, teachers, principal and the community.
³Optimum use of resources.
³Identify the particular needs of every student.
³Ensure flexibility of the activities of the school
(School Development and Management Committees have been
appointed to achieve these goals.)
School Development Committee
This committee comprises, the representatives of past students,
parents, academic staff and a representative of the zonal education
office. The principal is the presiding member of the committee
The objective of this committee is to develop the school through
receiving and using necessary resources. This provides opportunities
to build up relationships between the school and the community and
share the experience among all. The issues prevailing are resolved by
self - motivation and self-direction by all.
Past student’s society and well-wishers
It is essential for the development of a school that it maintains
constant relations with its past students. Through this, close relationship
is developed between the principal, staff and the present students. Past
students can be useful to the school in numerous ways like in obtaining
school buildings and equipment, provision of mid-day meals for
students, advisory services, obtaining support for festivals held in the
school etc. As such, every school takes an interest in the development
of these relations.
Parents, past pupils and well- wishers make a contribution for the
development of the school by providing contributions and involving in
tasks like shramdana campaigns, assisting in the maintenance of the
cleanliness of the school, its beautification and repair of the premises. All
these relations are mutually useful to the school and the neighbourhood
community.
Maintaining relations with representatives of the public
Funds necessary for the sections of the school that require
improvement and acquisition of equipment are released by the Central
Government and the Provincial Council on the recommendations of the
people's representative. By getting people's representatives to associate
with the school the opportunities for the development of the school
increases.
Service rendered to the school by society
Fig 1.15 Fig 1.16

A shramadana campaign A medical clinic conducted
in a school in a school.
For the school - community relations to continue well, the school should
remain open to society. For example,
² Use of the assembly hall of the school, grounds buildings for
community services.
² To conduct health camps.
² Education of the community regarding contemporary health, social
and environmental problems through educational campaigns.
How the community is harnessed for the activities of the
school
1 Utilization of physical resources that can be obtained from the
community for the development of the school.
2. Obtaining the services of various resource persons endowed with
knowledge and skills for the development of the school.
For example, inviting

the ayurvedic physician
of the area to the school
and educating the students
on traditional cures and
medicines.
The schools which
have a safe and clean
Fig 1.17 environment and sanitary
facilitiesareconsidered as the child-friendly
school. There, everyone respects each other's rights. Everyone receives
equal respect despite their economic problems, disabilities, diseases,
race and religion. Such schools that safeguard children's basic rights
can be identified as the child-friendly schools.
Features of child-friendly schools
³Provided with water and other sanitary facilities
³Have a safe learning environment
³Have a pleasant class room environment
³Have a student-centered learning and teaching system
³Teachers willingly change their teaching methods to meet the
difference of the students
³Get the support of the community in the planning and
managing school affairs
Every child is a special child. The Child Friendly School shoulders
the onerous task of maximising the special potentials of their students
to produce and gift to the country human resources essential for the
development of the land.
Quoted from : Child Friendly School, Primary Education Branch, Ministry of Education

 Activity 24
1.) Prepare a handout for the education of the community, based on

your investigation of human activities that promote destruction of
the environment of your region.
2.) There are two groups from which the contribution of society can
be obtained; Past Students’ Society and Parents' Circle.
I. Write three tasks that the Past Students’ Society can
perform'
II. Write a short description of the service rendered to the
school by the Parents’ Circle'
SUMMARY
Having studied this unit you would have understood the following.
² That self understanding and management contribute to the
development of characters.
² The importance of the school culture and adherence to it.
² Your duties and rights as a member of the school.
² That it is possible for the mutual co–operation between the
school and the community outside be made to contribute to the
development of the school and the community.
² That the co–operation of the community outside can be obtained
for the benefit of the school.
The Region We Live
02 in
Sri Lanka is an island blessed with beautiful gifts of nature. Its
fertile land, valuable natural resources, conducive climate, decent people
and its proud history generate immense pride in us. When thinking of
the region you live in, you may have the good fortune to claim that it is
gifted with one or more of the assets mentioned above.
This chapter will guide you to study about where your area is
situated and the institutions and the people that/who help you.
The location of the region we live in and its administrative system
Country
(Sri Lanka)
Province
District
Divisional
Secretariat
Grama
Niladhari's
Division
Home
Diagram.2.1 Administrative Units of Sri Lanka
Let us get to know the Grama Niladhari's Division

According to the administrative divisions of our country, the
smallest administrative unit is the Grama Niladhari’s division. By
joining one or more villages the Grama Niladhari’s division is made.
The officer in charge of this is the Grama Niladhari. He functions as
the officer maintaining liaison between the people of the village and
information.

 Activity 01
³ Complete the table below.

1. Grama Niladhari’s Division your house
belongs to Name:
No:
2. Grama Niladhari’s Division your school

belongs to Name:
No:
Divisional Secretariat our region belongs to

The administrative unit developed by joining several Grama
Niladharis’ divisions is the Divisional Secretariat. Its head is the
Divisional Secretary. He/She is the authority responsible for all the
official activities of all the Grama Niladhari Divisions in his region of
authority, with the government.

 Activity 02
³ What is the name of the Divisional Secretary’s Division your

region belongs to?
District to which our region belongs
The administrative unit developed by combining several
Divisional Secretariat Divisions is called a District. Its head is the
District Secretary. There are twenty five Administrative Districts in our
country and the region you live in belongs to one such Administrative
District. Figure 6.2 is a map of Sri Lanka showing the Administrative
Districts.

Fig: 2.1 Administrative Districts of Sri Lanka

 Activity 03
³ Based on the map above, mark on a map of Sri Lanka the district
to which the region you live in belongs.
Province to which we belong
Sri Lanka comprises of nine main provinces and each province
is made up of several districts. Map No. 2.2 shows the province – wise
division of Sri Lanka. Using it, identify correctly the province in which
the region you live in, is located.
N
Fig: 2.2 Provinces of Sri Lanka

 Activity 04
² Based on the administrative units you learned about, describe

correctly the location of your province.
The physical resources in our province
Physical resources are made up of two main parts. That is, as
natural resources and resources that are not natural. The sunlight we
receive, fresh air, clean water, soil, hills, valleys, plains, jungles, beaches,
rivers, waterfalls, lagoons etc are among the natural resources.
Resources created by man are resources that are not natural.
Buildings, vehicles, equipment etc are examples of these. Figure No. 6.4
shows a few of our physical resources. Since these are essential for man's
existence, it is your greatest responsibility that they are safeguarded as
life itself.
Fig: 2.3
A large number of resources can be seen in the region we live in.

Sunlight, air, water, the earth, buildings are some of the resources common
to all the areas. However, there are some resources which become unique
to a particular area. For example, rivers, streams, forests, waterfalls,
mountains, plains and minerals etc.

 Activity 05
² Prepare a document on the main physical resources to be seen in

your region.
² Prepare a creative hand–out containing information on the
resources identified by you.
² Observe well the flora to be seen in your region and complete the
table below.
Names of the types of trees Special characteristics
1'
2'
3'
4'
² Observe the animals always seen in your region and prepare a
document about them.
² Let us use the resources in our region effectively.
Several of the uses of physical resources are given below.
Sunlight Light Power
Air/Wind Power Industries Transport
Water Drinking Agriculture Industries Power

Land Housing Agriculture Industries Highways
Forests Timber Parks Tourism
Minerals Industries Transport
Diagram 2.2
Diagram 2.2 shows how physical resources are utilized for personal,
social, socio-economic needs of the neighbouring region.
Personal Build a Home Getting

needs house gardening water from
a well
Build a Cultivation Construction

The
The Social for needs of of factories for
housing
Land needs food industrial needs
Land complex
Commence Construction
Economic Set up of industrial
development
needs trade cities
Project
Diagram 2.3
Photographs under fig (2.5) shows that several physical resources in the
region around us are employed for human needs.

Fig: 2.4
Recall instances where various physical resources are made use of
in your region. Recall that they have to be made use of most effectively
and frugally as a matter of extreme importance. Just as bees collect
honey from the flower without harming it, it is the duty of man that
he uses the resources gifted by nature so as to cause them no damage.
In order to ensure the existence of a conducive environment, this is
essential.

 Activity 06
³ Complete the table below based on the physical resources in your

region that you make use of
Resource Purpose for which it is made use of
• The Land ......................................................................
• Water ......................................................................
• Minerals ......................................................................
• Other ......................................................................
Let us conserve resources

The physical resources in our region perform an immense service
for the existence of man and to satisfy his needs. Therefore, it is our duty
to safeguard them for the well-being of the environment and to hand it
over to future generations. A number of problems have arisen due to
the improper use of the land, air, water, rivers, streams, forests, wild
life etc by man. These problems pose a threat not only to the existence
of man as well as to the existence of the environment. Therefore, it is
important that we think of the service physical resources render to man
and inculcate positive attitudes to their conservation.
Procedures that can be followed to conserve physical resources
² Conservation of forests
eg. Planting trees
² Making maximum use of resources
eg. Reuse, recycling
² Minimizing wastage of resources
eg. Water, electricity, fuel
² Soil conservation
eg. Building bunds, drains for water to flow down
² Refraining from adding non – bio degradable material to the soil.
eg. Polythene
² Avoiding burning of waste
eg. Straw, plastic
² Filling up of locations where minerals have been mined.
eg. Filling in earth quarries, filling of gem mines.
² Use of alternate materials
eg. Concrete in place of timber, plastic

 Activity 07
² Select one physical resource in your region and suggest actions

that can be taken to conserve it.
² Present in the form of a poster or drawing the above activity
implemented according to your suggestion.
Our human resources
People living in the area are a resource to us. Man becomes a
human resource by developing his intellectual as well as his physical
abilities. In our area a number of such resources can be identified.
A multitude of resources like farmers, teachers, doctors, nurses,
masons, carpenters, engineers including technicians and mechanics,
government workers, researchers and scientists, aesthetes, media
people, athletes etc help us.

 Activity 08
² Identify the human resources seen in these photographs and name

them.

² Identify the human resources living in your area and prepare a
document.
² Prepare and present a table containing the human resources in
your area and their uses.
How the value of the human resources can be increased
From birth, man is endowed with certain abilities. They can be
identified as intellectual abilities, physical abilities, social abilities etc.
It is important that man’s inborn abilities are improved and that they
are formally practised. For this purpose various courses and training
programmes are implemented in the society around the area. Through
these the individual can improve one’s abilities and develop the ability
to build up the vocational world around him.
The diagram below shows the uses obtained by training human
resources systematically.
Country develops
↑
Derives economic advantages
↑
Improves professionally
↑
Can perform one’s profession well
↑
Can acquire professional qualifications
↑
Can improve abilities
↑
By training Human Resources
Diagram - 2.4

Regional economic affairs
The people in your area have different kinds of occupations' Most
of them are based on the resources of your area. There are people who
engage in agriculture basing it on the land. At the same time you may
find some people who engage in many other industries based on the
various resources in your area. These industries provide different types
of products to the market.
You may find the persons who engage in poultry, business and
other occupations in your area. Think about the economic activities in
your area.

 Activity 09
² Get to know about the institutes that conduct professional

development courses in your area.
² Prepare a document containing the training courses conducted by
these institutes.
² Prepare a poster containing the information above and display it in
the classroom.
² Complete the following table.
Resources in the area. Products related to resources Professions related to products
e.g: clay bricks brickmaking
1
2
2.2 Living co–operatively with the people of the area
From the origin of human society, man did not have enough
courage to face various challenges such as hunting animals. He neither
had sharp vision, sense of smell, strong arms and jaws that are needed for
hunting animals, nor sharp canine teeth or nails. He was not extremely
capable of running, swimming, flying and climbing trees. Therefore, he
needed the others, assistance in search of food and find protection.
When people started living co-operatively, human society
emerged, and their co-operative existence caused building up of a
developed human civilization.

You also have worked co-operatively with your neighbours
and villagers. For instance, co-operativity can be seen at shramadana
campaigns, religious festivals, funerals and at sudden disasters. The
support of others eases the work at the workplace and the school.
Diagram 2.5
According to the diagram above, you would have understood that
co-operation spreads across a wide range.
Fig: 2.5 Situations where people work in co-operation in the area

 Activity 10
² Write three situations where people in your area work in

co-operation.
² Out of them, select one and write a short play and produce it
along with your friends.
² All of you in the class get together and carry out a co–operative
activity for the benefit of your school. Discuss your experience
with the other students in the class.
Uses of working in co-operation
Good will
Pleasure Convenience
Brotherhood Success
Uses got from
Safeguards Co- opertiveness
culture Achieves objectives
Saves money Saves time

Unity
Diagram.2.6

 Activity 11
² Discuss in your class the qualities developed through working

co–operatively, based on your experience.
2.3 Those who help us

When living in society we need the assistance of outside
individuals and institutions in order to fulfill our needs. Several
institutions and service providers are active in society for these purpose.

 Activity 12
³ Prepare a document on the government officers who provide

various services for the people of the area you live in.
³ Design a poster on the services provided by a selected few of
these officers.

Given below is a description and services of six government officers
who help you. Understand it and name the relevant officer.
The officer who performs a number of services like confirming the

residence of villages, distribution of state relief, taking action against
illegal activities, collecting necessary information regarding residents
is
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The officer responsible for the control of infectious diseases, heath
inspection of students, informing people regarding health / medical
clinics, implementing inoculation programs etc. is
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The officer who makes arrangements to provide relief funds, conducts
programmes to uplift the status of life of poor people, conducts projects
to develop villages is
...................
The officer who gives advice on protecting maternal and child health,
conducts nutrition programmes for children, gives inoculation at
maternal and children’s clinics, is
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The officer who assists you by protecting the rules and regulations
enacted by the government, protects peace, arranges assistance in
sudden disasters, is
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The officer who helps you by delivering letters and parcels sent to you,
delivers election cards etc is
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Institutions that help us
In the area you live in, you can notice a number of government
and non-governmental institutions that assist in the satisfaction of
public and official needs of the people. Let us study the services of a
selected few of them.
Divisional Secretariat
All the services rendered by the government for the public living
in the respective area can be obtained from this institution. Several
examples of these are given below.
² Issue of Birth Certificates
² Approval of Grama Seva Certificates
² Issue of licenses eg : felling of trees, transport, income licenses,
state land licenses, environment permits
² Provision of relief
² Implementation of relevant activities regarding payment of
pensions
² Issue of identity cards

 Activity 13
² Inquire from members of your family about the services they got
from the Divisional Secretariat and note them.
Local Government Institutions

Municipal Councils
An extremely complex urban region is known as the municipality.
There are several such regions in our country. Examples of these are
Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya, Dehiwala Mt.
Lavinia. The head of a Municipal Council is the Mayor. Given below
are a few services rendered by the Municipal Council.
² Cleaning and maintenance of streets
² Reconstruction of water–ways and removal of garbage
² Maintenance of the markets and public health
² Maintenance of playgrounds, libraries and parks
² Construction and maintenance of public amenities
² Maintenance of street lights

 Activity 14
³ Write down the name of the Municipal Council close to you.

³ Out of the services below select the services provided by the
Municipal Council and mark ( ) in the box against it
² Provision of transport facilities

² Cleaning and maintenance of the streets of the city
² Removal of garbage, protection of public health
² Construction of buildings
² Maintenance of public markets, city parks, libraries
² Provision of lighting and water service to public places
Urban Councils
Urbanized regions which are less in population and complexity
are called Urban councils. The head of each urban council is a chairman.
Given below are a few of the services provided by the Urban Council.
² Provision of public health services
² Maintenance of libraries, sports grounds, parks, public toilets etc.
² Systematization of water supply and drainage.
² Control and maintenance of streets and public buildings.
² Disposal of garbage, cleaning of the city.
Village Councils
Semi urban areas and rural areas that do not come under Urban
Councils belong to Village Councils. Given below are a few of the
numerous services rendered by the Village Councils:
² Construction and maintenance of roadways in one's region of
operations.
² Improvement and implementation of bathing ferries, trade centers.
² Disposal of garbage and cleaning of streets and roads in the area.
² Approval of building construction.
² Maintenance of social welfare activities.


 Activity 15
³ Inquire about the services rendered by the Provincial Council

situated close to your home or school and complete the information
below.
² Name of the Provincial Council :...........................................
² If the services below are provided by the Provincial Council to
the public mark ( ) if not mark ( × ) in the box provided.
Cleaning and maintenance of roadways
Proper disposal of garbage
Collection of taxes
Lighting of streets and public places
Maintaining libraries and pre-schools
Charging trade taxes
Hospitals
The hospital is the main
institution that provides its
services twenty four hours of
the day for the provision of the
health of the public. Doctors,
nurses, as well as the entire
staff of the hospital provide
an efficient service in order
to provide relief when one is
Fig: 2'6 struck by disease or has been the
victim of an accident. Government Hospitals provide all these services
to the public free of charge. Government allocates a large amount of
money for providing these services.

Services rendered by places of religious worship
People of various
ethnic groups live in
Sri Lanka. As such
there are different
places of religious
worship in our
neighbourhood.
It is a pleasure
to hear the pirith
chanting from one
Fig: 2.7
side of the country
while hearing the
echoing sound of Holy Koran from another side. Same as we hear the
choirs from the church and the jingling bells from the kovil nearby. This
is religious co-exsistence and the identity of our country; Sri Lanka.
Services provided by places of religious worship
³ Provide knowledge of the Dhamma.
³ Disciplining by teaching ethics.
³ Conduct religious rituals, services, offerings.
³ Blessing in order to make personal life successful.
³ Help cultivate spiritual values.
³ Provide leadership at weddings and bereavements
³ Provide leadership in public activities.
³ Take the lead regarding national needs.
³ Provide advice and blessings
³ Ensure inter-racial unity.

 Activity 16
³ Prepare a register of the various places of religious worship in

your area.
Youth Buddhist Fishers’
Society Society Society
Lending
Society Co–operative
Environment Societies in Society
Societies the region
Farmer
Sports Organization
Societies Funeral Rural
Societies Development Societies
Diagram.2.7

 Activity 17

Services Provided by the Societies in the Region
Society Services Provided
Co – operative society Subsidized trade/ Purchase of
agricultural material
Farmer societies Provides advice/ Provide subsidies/
Provision of welfare services
Fishery societies Purchase/ Provide welfare services
Rural Development societies Development work in the area
Funeral societies Funeral services/ Provision of welfare
services

 Activity 18
³ All the students of your class get together and set up a Children’s
Society.
³ Through the Children’s Society you set up, implement a program for
the improvement of the abilities and talents of students in your class.
Duties of the institutions that provide us with services
² Proper provision of one’s services
² Functioning efficiently
² Provision of correct advice and guidance
² Acting without being bias
² Functions so as to be fair by everybody
² Being friendly when working with the people
² Avoiding wrong doing in what one does
Duties of us who receive services
² Payment of taxes correctly
² Providing necessary participation, when rendering service
² Following advice and guidance, correctly
² Protecting institutions and the property of institutions providing
service
² Avoiding obtaining services through improper means
² Maintaining friendly relations with service providers
² Appreciating services provided by them and provide recognition
for the service

 Activity 19
² Select an institution that provides services to your area and discuss

the duties due from you for such service.
Summary
When contributing to the development of the country, it is very
important to have good awareness of the area we live in, we identified
the Grama Niladhri's division, Divisional Secretariat, district and the
province we belong to. We were able to identify the physical resources
and how they can be used in the social and economic needs and how
to economize them. Human resource is the most precious resource and
it can be divided as intellectual and physical abilities. We can develop
its quality through training.
The economic affairs in the region can be divided into agricultural
affairs, industrial affairs and services. Most of the time, these affairs
are based on the human and physical resources of the region.
Co-operative living of the people in a particular area contribute
to the advancement of both region and the family. There are many
examples of such occasions, where the work becomes easy resulting
in many advantages.
There are many individual and group organizations which
support the people. Religious institutions, public institutions and
provincial councils are very important. Government officers and many
others have been involved into that network. Many needs of the area
are fulfilled by this. These institutions and people help the general
public in the social and economic affairs and spiritual development.
Apart from these institutions various associations and committees also
help the people in their needs. The institutions and the individuals
who receive the services should perform their duties. By studying
this chapter you can understand that through inter relationship we can
expect the development of individuals as well as society.

03 A Good Citizen
Both Personal and social development contribute to the

development of the necessary qualities of a good citizen. Among the
qualities that should be inculcated for this purpose, use of decent
language and good behaviour are very important. We find both good
and bad in our society. Good citizens always add qualities to lives.
The responsibility of a good citizen is to protect the resources of the
motherland and dedicate oneself to safeguard its dignity.
Apart from the qualities mentioned above, being loyal and

righteous are also considered virtuous. We should identify these qualities
and add them to our lives. Then we are able to show the world that Sri
Lanka is a country of virtuous citizens.
3.1. Practicing polite language

You get the opportunity to associate with friends in your class
room as well as in your school. Similarly you have to associate with
various types of people at home as well as in society. Think about the
people you associate with. Remember how you got to know each other.
You may have asked their name, village, age, siblings and many more
details and vice versa. You may remember how you talked to them using
very pleasant words. It is possible that the good relationship between
you and them would have been based on those polite and pleasant
words. If you had not used such words, there would not be such a good
relationship. If it is so, you would have only a few friends. To be a good
friend among friends and to win the hearts of your family members as
a virtuous individual, you should practice polite language.
Features of polite speech

³ Discipline in speech
³ Express clear and correct ideas.
³ Respect others
³ Adopt correct posture when speaking
³ Listen to others and speak patiently
³ Do not misuse language
³ Maintain eye contact when speaking.
³ Identify where to talk and where not to
If you use language knowing the person whom you are going to
speak to and what the situation and place is, you will be able to achieve
successful communication.
Language should be used to suit the individual and place
• According to the situation.
³ Weddings and Receptions
³ Sports and special functions
³ Funerals
³ Debates and discussions
³ Public speech (radio, television, newspapers, magazines,
amplifiers)
• According to the place
³ Religious places (temple, mosque, church, kovil)
³ Home, school, road, bus, train
³ Mass communication (radio, television, newspaper, maga-
zine, loud speaker)
• According to the individual.
³ Clergyman, Priest
³ Parents
³ Teachers, elders
³ Friends, visitors
There are many advantages you derive get when you use polite
language and also disadvantages. There are many occasions where you
are not practicing it. Read the following table and think whether you
have had the same experiences.

Good in polite language Bad in impolite language
• Receive others' respect • Disturb personal
• Good connections. relationships
• Improve leadership qualities. • Become isolated in society
• Be able to win the hearts of the • Lose friends.
others. • Economic loss.
• Be able to build up good personal • Lose opportunities to be a
contacts. leader.
• Get more opportunities to gain
benefits.
wekqïmo fkdlshñ
nekqï le; nia fkdlshñ
kslï nia fkdlshñ
;rï muKg joka f;m,ñ
^isß;a u,aou - .=re uqykaÈrï weï' we,a' is,ajd&
_k ö\õØPÒ ö\õÀ»©õm÷hß
H_Áuõ´ CÈö©õÈPÒ ö\õÀ»©õm÷hß
ö£õ¸ÎÀ»õ ÷£a_PøÍ¨ ÷£\©õm÷hß
AÍÄUS AvP©õ²® ÷£\©õm÷hß
]›z ©Àu© & S¸ •P¢vµ® G®. GÀ. ]ÀÁõ
Shall not utter abuse

No insults utter I
Play with idle talk
Shall utter words that suits
my status
(Translation- Sirith Maldama - Guru Muhandiram M.L. Silva)

 Activity 1
Prepare dialogues for a role play which shows how to communicate

politely using appropriate language patterns according to the situations
given below.
³ A situation where you speak to a priest about a religious
activity in your family.
³ A situation where you met a close friend of yours after a
long time.
³ A situation where you inquire from the judge of a competition
about a problematic situation of it.
3.2. Let us come to conclusions through respecting the
views of others.
“We cannot live alone in this society”. Therefore we have to
build up connections with others and communicate with them. When
we communicate with each other we can have good understanding of
the other party by listening carefully. It is very important to express
one’s ideas clearly and let the others to express their own views. When
you listen carefully, the speaker will have a pleasant feeling about you.
It is possible to come out with opposing ideas when you communicate
with each other. But you should have the strength to tolerate them. The
other party may have a wider knowledge than you of a particular topic.
Then you will be able to create new and useful knowledge through the
new knowledge you received. Moreover, the exchange of ideas is very
important to maintain good connections with others. Misunderstanding
will lead to conflicts. However, the conclusions or agreements that
come out of discussions lead to personal and social development.
• Listening is merely paying attention to a sound.
• Active listening is listening attentively and comprehensively.
A person who listens actively, will give one or more of the
following responses;
E.g: Questioning, answering, suggesting, approving

By active listening By not listening actively
Comprehend messages given correctly Do not comprehend messages correctly
Provide responses according to the Do not provide expected responses
message
Build up confidence on one’s own self Possibility to build up doubt and lack of
and on others confidence
Build up wholesome social Being isolated without developing social
relationships relationships
Opportunities are created to come to Opportunities to come to agreements are
agreements avoided
Less possibilities for conflicts since Instead of agreements problems and
conclusions were made by discussions conflicts arise.
For active listening;

³ Use of clear language
³ Careful listening
³ Listen with understanding
Qualities to be improved in order to develop interpersonal skills

through effective communication.
• Presenting one's ideas clearly and appropriately.
• Tolerate others' ideas.
• Appreciate others' ideas.
• Resolution of conflicting views through effective discussion.
• Neutralize the mismatching ideas through effective
discussion.
• Let the others express their own ideas.
• Try to draw successful conclusions.
• Express straightforward ideas at the correct time
• Work according to the ideas that came out from discussions.


 Activity 2
01. Write down briefly the experiences you had to face due to the lack
of active listening.
02. List out the advantages you have had through practising the skill
of active listening.
03. Ask one of your elders the story of Kaluwa who went to Marapana
(Kaluwa Marapana giya wage) and present your ideas on Kaluwa’s
listening.
3.3. Let us behave in a disciplined manner
Fig: 3.1
Incident : The bus-train accident
Date : 25th of April 2005
Place : Yangalmodara railway crossing
near the Kurunegala – Alawwa
road
Number of deaths : forty one (41)
Number of injured persons : over thirty five
Reason for the accident : the bus crashed on to the train
when it tried to cross the closed
railway gate
Punishment : Both the driver and the
conductor were sentenced to
death.
You have heard about traffic accidents in Sri Lanka most of the
time. You may have seen or heard about these kinds of accidents daily
through mass media. Some accidents happen due to the carelessness
and indiscipline of people. The above accident in picture 3.1 occurred
as a result of the unnecessary haste, indiscipline and ill-mannered
nature of the driver. It was reported that the, only child of a particular
family had lost his life due to this fatal accident. Many children became
helpless with the death of their parents. People who lost their lives and
became disabled are precious lives of our country. This shows how the
minute act of one person affects the whole society in different ways.
Good behaviour of every single person is needed very much for the
well-being of the whole society.
What is discipline and good-behavior?
Discipline means acting according to social standards and
following the rules and regulations of society.
Well-behaviour is also all about the discipline of a person. It
means behaving according to the rules and regulations, constitutions
and customs. When there is discipline and good-behaviour one will
respect others, love others, apologize and accept fault.
Qualities to be improved to become a disciplined and well-behaved
person :
² Follow rules and regulations and customs
² Respect each other
² Respect the values of society
² Kindness
² Humanity
² Cooperation
² Friendliness
² Righteousness
² Patience
² Honesty
² Truthfulness
Disciplined behaviour in the family and society
In the family In society

³ Treat every sibling equally ³ Help the innocent, disabled and
and be attentive to them elderly people
³ Be obedient, respect and ³ Handle public property with
help parents care
³ Treat respectfully the elders ³ Respect others
in the family
³ Respect every religion
³ Speak politely
³ Display Good behaviour in
³ Good Behaviour various types of religious
³ Not interrupting elders’ activities
conversations without ³ Decide on the appropriate
permission behaviour and the dress code
³ Be well-mannered in using according to the situation
mass media such as the ³ Be well-mannered at various
radio, television, computer functions (national festivals,
and Internet weddings, funerals)
Life skills to be improved for
discipline and good behaviour
On the road In the school
³ Follow traffic rules ³ Engage in studies
³ Use road with care of ³ Use the resources of the school
yourself and others with care
³ Use the road considering ³ Safeguard the dignity of the school
it as public property through well-being
³ Be patient ³ Follow the rules and regulations of
³ Be an example to others the school
³ Safeguard your dignity ³ Obey one's teachers and respect
through discipline and them
well-being ³ Respect the school flag and
national flag, and safeguard them
³ Polite behaviour (Decorum)

The importance of maintaining discipline and decorum
³ Protect your dignity and pride
³ Be able to conduct a happy and free life
³ Receive the respect and love of others
³ Build up national and religious harmony
³ Become a virtuous citizen in society
³ Become trustworthy among others
³ Minimize conflicts in society
³ Minimize accidents
³ Eschew disgrace and punishment
³ Create a peaceful society
³ Create a society where the people respect social etiquette

 Activity 3
01. List how to behave well in the school, on the road and at home.
3.4. Let us distinguish between the good and the bad

There is good and bad in society. There are good people as well
as bad people among the people you associate with. You will gain good
from the good people and that of bad from the bad people as long as
they become your companions. Sometimes you may find both good and
bad qualities in the same person. You can make your future a success
through keen awareness of your surroundings. Let us see what are the
good deeds which lead you to a successful future and what are the bad
conducts you should avoid.

The good in society Their results
Education Gain knowledge
become a scholar
foundation for a good life
Study your religion Lead a disciplined life-style
and follow it Mental awakening
Become a prestigious and restrained person
Follow good health habits Become a healthy person
and lead a healthy life
Select an appropriate Receive honour from society
dress code Can stay relaxed
Use mass media Save time
(Telephone, Internet, Gain pleasure and knowledge
Print and visual media) Polish up the way of thinking
carefully Update knowledge
Associate with good Can share sorrow and joy
friends who stay all the Can get examples and advise
time with you Protection
Honor from society
Let us identify the bad conducts in our society
³ Not having a good education
³ Company of bad friends
³ Ignore religion
³ Misled by commercials
³ Adherence to blind faith.
³ Practice ill - mannered behaviours.
³ Commit illegal acts.
³ Use culturally inappropriate fashions
³ Use of harmful food
³ Listen and watch rubbish programs and videos on the inter-
net and other mass media.
³ Earn through illegal industries
³ Addiction to liquor, drugs, cigarettes and associate with
those who are addicted to them.

Some possess both good and bad qualities. For example, the
mobile phone can be used as an effective multi- functional equipment.
If we use the same equipment in the wrong way, it will cause bad results.
Likewise the computer, television, radio and cinema also can be used
for both good and bad. Although you find very attractive types of food
in the market, you should be very careful about their nutrition, qualities,
sanitation and how they affect your life. Let us be aware of the bad in
our society and keep in our minds that they will bring on bad results to
our society.

 Activity 4
Complete the following chart mentioning the results of the good and
bad in our society.
The good in our society The results The bad in The results
by practising our society by practising
good bad
01 Reading books
02 Composing poems
03 New inventions
04 Sports
05 Collecting stamps
06 Use of the internet
07 Use of the television
08 Appreciate local things
09 Preserve the national
heritage
3.5. Let us respect our traditions, rules and regulations

There are traditions related to the various stages of our social
life. Similarly, there are a number of rules and regulations which are
necessary for good administration. These two aspects result in the
well-being of the person and society. When hoisting the school flag,
reciting the school anthem and the national anthem we should respect
them. We do it because it has become one of our traditions and social
standards. Here we all become a group of the followers of social
traditions and rules and regulations.
A quiz competition was held at the Navodya Maha Vidyalaya
in the North Western province by the grade 6 students on the topic of
“Let us respect social traditions, rules and regulations”. This program
consisted of two groups called Hiru and Sandu. This was conducted by
the teachers of Citizenship Education and History.
Hiru group S andu gr oup
Explain what ''traditions''

means and give three
examples.
Traditions mean the social standards that

have existed from the past.
1. Respect the customs of our own
society
2. Respect elders
3. Protect one’s own cultural heritage
What are rules?

Please give us 3 examples.
The conditions passed by the government for

the personal and social benefit and to control
the personal behaviours are called rules.
For example; traffic law, criminal law, etc.
Every rule has a punishment. Law considers
everyone equally.

What is '' regulation''?
Regulations are the set of conditions

accepted as not to be done
What are customs and manners?

Please give us 3 examples.
Customs are what we should follow including what we

should avoid or refrain from.
Customs: 1. Religious observation worship
2. Parents and the teachers
3. Polite use of language
Manners 1. Chew nails and hair
2. Eavesdrop on others secret conversations.
3. Dress up in unsuitable dress codes.
State four advantages of

following traditions
1. Have a peaceful environment.

2. Minimize conflicts by respecting each other.
3. Build up love and trust among each other
4. Build up a friendly environment for a good
administration.
State 3 advantages of following
rules and regulations
Produce good leaders

Produce a righteous society
Produce a peaceful environment
All of you participated in the quiz competition. Every

answer is correct. The two groups have equal marks and
therefore both teams win the competition today. We hope
you may improve your knowledge of social traditions
and rules and regulations through this competition.
Respecting as well as following social traditions, rules and

regulations is our responsibility and then our society will become a
better place to live in

 Activity 5
1. Prepare a booklet on traffic rules and pedestrian rules.

2. Prepare a list of traditions you follow in your school and at home.
3.6. Let us use resources economically
Resources are what we blessed with, by the nature. The Following
are examples of such resources we use;
² Sun light ² Land
² Air ² Mineral resources
² Water ² Wild animals
² Forests
These natural resources help the existence of human beings as well
as the environment around us. We use the resources in our environment
in order to satisfy our various needs. Air, water and sunlight are essential
resources in our lives.
We produce different kinds of things using natural resources such
as land, forests and mineral resources. Think about various tools you
use to fulfil your needs at the school and at home. All these tools are
man - made, using the resources in our environment.
Examples of man - made resources:
Furniture
Glassware
Porcelain
Roofing tiles
Bricks
Look at the following pictures. Think about the resources used to
make them.
Fig. 3.2
Why should we economize on resources?

Do you know that most of the resources we use are limited?
Water is an essential natural resource. Water is essential and
useful for drinking as well as for other daily needs. More than that, we
essentially need water for food cultivation, industries and numerous
other things. Although most parts of our earth have been covered by
water, the amount of drinking water is very little. We always hear about
incidents related to the pollution done to water by people. Therefore,
we should use water economically and avoid water pollution.
Land is also a limited resource. Apart from mountains, reservoirs
and swamps, there is very little land for human habitats and food
cultivation.
Just as water and land, we have very limited resources of mineral
oil, coal, iron, copper, tin, sand and mud also. These resources get
depleted when we use them. You can understand this situation through
a simple example. When you pump petrol or some other fuel into your
vehicle it burns and the vehicle runs on the power generated. Fuel that
is burnt cannot be recovered. Coal is also a very good example of this.
Therefore, all of us are expected to use these resources economically.
The consumption of the resources has been increased as a result
of the development of the industrial sector. As the population and the
needs of the people increase, the consumption of resources increases
day by day automatically.
The resources are not equally distributed on earth. These days in
Sri Lanka a mineral oil exploration is taking place. Coal has not been
found in Sri Lanka yet. Hence, we have to import some of the resources
from other countries and have to spend a large amount of money on
imports.
Therefore, we should use resources frugally in order to meet our
needs. At the same time, we should preserve them for future generations.
We should consider it as our duty and responsibility.
How to prevent waste of resources
Resource Measured to prevent waste of resources
Water • Open the water tap according to the need.

• Close tight after using the tap
• Use a vessel when using water for washing
Electricity • Unplug electric equipment when they are
not in use
• Iron clothes as much as possible at one
time
• Use lights of high efficiency
Desks, chairs and • Paint them and prevent corrosion
other equipment • Do not expose them to damp.

The advantages to us of the prevention of waste of resources.
² Save money
² Save resources for future generations to meet their needs
² Minimize environmental disasters

 Activity 6
(1) Complete the following chart

Write down three pieces Write down the resources that
of equipment use in your have been used to make them.
home
1'
2'
3'
3.7 Let us protect public property

We have a number of needs to be accomplished in our daily
life. Food, home and clothes are our basic needs. Education, getting
treatment for diseases, travelling, enjoying leisure are also among our
needs. Other than these needs there are many more needs to be fulfilled
in our daily life. Think about the services provided to meet these needs.
The school is for education. Hospitals are for getting treatment
for diseases. Bus services are there for our needs in travelling. Similarly
there are many facilities provided to spend our leisure. Think about
different types of such institutions that have been established to meet
your needs.
The buildings, equipment, machines and many other materials that
belong to these services are called public property.
The service stations and their property which have been established
with the contributions of the general public to fulfill their own
necessities are called public properties.

The nature of the public
property
• The main objective is the
well-being of the general
public and provide services
to them.
• These facilities have been
provided by the
government without expecting
any profit
• Available to everyone.
Fig. 3.3
Buildings, desks, chairs, computers, library books, laboratory

equipment, sport equipment etc. in your school are public property.
They are provided to you by the government to filfill your educational
needs. You have the right to use them in order to polish your skills and at
the same time you are expected to preserve them for future generation.
The buildings, tools and different types of equipment in a hospital
are public property which help to provide health services. Every person
who gets the service of these places should consider that it is their duty
to protect them and keep the place clean.
The government has taken steps to renew roads and construct
high ways in Sri Lanka. The objectives of these projects are to facilitate
fast and safe journeys and the transport of goods. Safety fences and
traffic lights have been established, considering the safety of its users.
It is our responsibility to protect them as citizens.
Besides, we should not misuse roads or obstruct travelling. The
pedestrians and the drivers who use the roads should care about their
own safety and that of others.
We use electricity to facilitate our daily activities. As such, every
citizen should be concerned about protecting power stations and the
equipment which generate electricity.
Buses, bus stands, trains, railway stations, play grounds, children’s
parks and libraries are also considered public property. We should
contribute to protect and keep these places clean, as good citizens.
There are common wells, tube wells, tanks and irrigation works
in rural areas to fulfill citizens' common needs. Apart from the above
mentioned public property, there are many other public utilities for
common services which help meet common needs of our society. We as
virtuous citizens should handle public property with care.
The advantages of protecting public property.
² Can provide efficient service

² As it saves the expenditure of renewing and maintaining, the
remaining money can be used for the development of the country.
² Be able to improve the facilities to ensure good living standards.
² Preserve them for the needs of future generation.
Measures to protect public property
² Protect public properties considering them as our duty and
responsibility
² Avoid misuse of public property
² Inform the relevant institutions about the damage caused to public
property
² Give the same opportunity to others to use them
² Do not use public property as private property
² Pay maintenance fees regularly
² Inform the authorized institutions when you find any kind of serious
damage, caused to a public property.
² Educate the others on protecting public property


 Activity 7
01. Read the following headings in column I, II, III, IV and complete
the chart.
Column I Column II Column III Column IV

Public property The services The difficulties Measures to
used daily provided by one faces if they be taken to
such property are destroyed protect them
02. Prepare a poster on the importance of protecting public property.

03. Prepare a list of telephone numbers of the institutions that one
should inform about the misuse and damage to public property.
04. Identify water leaks on taps in your school and inform your teacher
in charge of Citizenship Education
05. Identify a particular place where you can find damaged public
property and suggest what you can do to minimize the damage.
4.2 —Let us protect the environment˜
We are surrounded by the environment. The air, sea, waterfalls,
rivers, animals, natural trees are considered the natural environment.
They are the gifts of nature. Beside this, the most important thing is, all
of them have been created without the intervention or influence of man.
The environment created without the intervention of man is called
the physical environment.
Here are some photographs of beautiful scenery from the physical
environment.
Fig. 3.4
Man is also a part of the same environment. You can find different
types of man-made objects all around the environment. Parks, buildings,
roads, pounds, tanks are examples for them. They can be called built
environment.
Man-made objects in the natural environment belong to built
environment.
The following are photographs of such creations.
Fig. 3.5

We use the environment and its resources in order to fufill our
needs. As the population and the needs increase, our interference with
the environment also increases.
Therefore, damage caused to water, land and air has increased
gradually. Here are some reasons for environmental pollution.
The component Reasons for
of the pollution
environment
Water ² Disposal of waste
into water
² Excessive use of
chemical fertilizers
in cultivation
² Use of agro
chemicals
Land ² Improper disposal
of waste
² Use of chemical
fertilizers in
cultivation
² Use of agro
chemicals
² Destruction of
forests.
Air ² Smoke released
from factories
² Smoke released
from vehicles
Sound pollution ² Excessive sound
from loud speakers
² Sounds of horns
² Sounds of rock
blasting Fig. 3.6

We have heard about environmental pollution and pollution due
to the immense damage caused by mankind to the environment. Now,
we are facing the problem of drinking contaminated water which causes
numerous diseases. Similarly fish and other aquatic resources have
been destroyed as a result of water pollution.
Air pollution also causes various diseases. Further, there is
the danger of atmospheric warming due to the heat of the earth and
destruction of the ozone layer.
How to protect the environment as good citizens.
² Be sensitive to the environment
² Avoid disposing waste into water.
² Keep the reservoirs and their surroundings clean
² Use carbonic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizers
² Use local agricultural methods instead of agro chemicals
² Proper disposal of harmful objects into the environment
Ex :computer equipment, CFL bulbs, mobile phone batteries
² Proper disposal of garbage
² Encourage garbage recycling projects
² Use decaying garbage for the production of organic fertilizer
² Use loud speakers, radio and other equipment without disturbing
others.
Our responsibility and duty is to protect the environment and its partners.
Hence, our dream of living in a beautiful environment will come true
and it will be there for the future generation also.

 Activity 8
1. Select a place in your school that you should develop and give
three suggestions on the regular maintenance of that place.
2. Get your teacher's advice and the support of the other colleagues
on the implementation of your suggestions and their proper
maintenance.
4.3. Let us preserve the local identity with pride.
The following ideas are from the Television discussion held on
the topic “Our motherland.”
“Sri Lanka is a wonderful country. Our country has a range of
climates that we can find all over the world except snow. The crops
that grow in any cold country, can be cultivated in Nuwara Eliya. Areas
like Jaffna and Mannar, have a warm climate. The other areas have an
intermediate climate. There are rivers, water streams, tanks, ponds and
also lots of waterfalls in our country.”
“In America we cannot find a single green coloured tree until we
move 30 kilometers out of New York City. The trees over there also
remain green only for half a year. They do not have a sunny day time
throughout the year. They cannot believe their eyes when they see our
country full of green.”
“In some other countries human beings and animals die due to the
excessive heat and unbearable cold. But in our country we do not find
such unbearable cold or heat. Our climate does not cause harm, but is
conducive to life.”
“We have banana, papaw, grapes and all the other fruits right
throughout the year. Coconut and areca nut are abundant throughout
the year. Every moment we hear sweet songs of birds. We cultivate
cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, coconut, rubber, cocoa, pepper and
betel right through the year. Every forest is a store of medicine. We
have inherited a golden land of gems, graphite, ilmenite, phosphate
and many other mineral resources. As such we can proudly say that we
are born to a prosperous country.” Our ancestors have created many
things. These creations have been admired as remarkable creations by
the whole world, despite the development of modern technology.
After the discussion a song composed by Mahagama Sekara
and sung by Visharada W.D.Amaradeva was played and some visuals
related to that song were telecast.

r;ak§m ckau N+ñ
,xld§m úch N+ñ
fï wfma Wodr jQ ud;D N+ñhhs ud;D N+ñhhs
wdÈ isxyf,a - ùr ó uq;=ka f,hska
idr jQ Wodr jQ - ud;D N+ñhhs ud;D N+ñhhs
ud‚lH fia fmdf<da .efí ksOdk ù
we;af; ta wNS; ¥ mq;=ka
cd;sfha kdufhka ix.%du N+ñfha
Ôúf;a mqod fy¿E f,a l|hs
.x.d ;rx. rdj § ß§ jkska
u,a msmS l=<ska l=f<a yemS
.dhkd lrkafka - wdldYfha ke.S
ùrhskaf. ta hfYda .S;hhs
iskaOQm udk jeõ ;,d u;ska we§
moau f¾Kqfhka iq.kaO ù
rka lr,a kud kud - is;a m%fndaOfhka mqrd
tkafk Wka fy¿ m%dK jdhqjhs

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Ratnadeepa (Island of Gems),
Janma Bhoomi ( Country where one in born), Lankadeepa
(Island of Lanka), Vijaya Bhoomi (Island of Victory),
this is our noble mother country, It is the noble mother
country which was fertiled, from the blood shed by our
heroic ancestors nourished.
The precious stones that were

buried under ground are the bloods of our ancestors who
dedicated their lives at the war front.
Rivers, blooming silvery flowers
are retreating and splashing sings the song of fame of those
ancient heroes.
The wind that blows kissing the
tanks that can be compared to mighty ocean, being fragrant
with lotus pollen, bowing of the golden paddy seeds and
filling minds with enthusiasm in the breath of life shed by
our ancestors.
This is the precious and prosperous land of ours. Our heroes have
sacrified their life for our mother land and their blood is the precious
treasures buried in the motherland. Even the wind sings the heroic song
for the heros who sacrificed their life at the warfront.

Fig. 3.7
The standing Buddha statue of Aukana, situated near Kala Veva

in Anuradhapura is 39 feet 10 inches high. It is an excellent piece of art.
This wonderful creation proves that Sri Lanka had very skillful artists
with excellent technical skills to engrave the natural quality to a huge
rock, carving it gently with a sharp chissle.We have inherited a number
of wonderful creations, such as the Smadhi statue and moonstone in
MahameunaUyana in Anurahapura. Apart from the above mentioned
Aukana statue, the world heritage site Sigiriya can be considered as a
monument of our prestigious history.
Fig. 3.8 Fig. 3.9

We have evidence to prove that the technical knowledge and skills
Sri Lankans possessed of irrigation systems can compete even with
modern technology. The tanks built for agricultural and other needs
in the dry zone surpass the sea. Kala Veva, Parakrama Samudraya and
MinneriyaVeva are the best examples of such massive creations. These
wonderful creations are the results of our ancestors’ superb technical
skills and labour. The Jaya Ganga is a miraculous creation of irrigation
technology which carries water from Kala Veva to ThisaVeva. It is
17 miles in length and 40 feet wide and the slope is 6 inches per a
mile. The inheritors of such miraculous creations are none other but
we; Sri Lankans. Therefore, our responsibility is to create such national
heritages as in the past and preserve them.
We should know our own national identity and should be proud
of it as Sri Lankans. Our culture, resources and products speak of our
national identity.
Local culture:
● Religions and religious festivals
● Special artistic creations based on religion
Eg: sacred places, statues, dagobas, wall paintings, stone carvings
etc.
● Literary works and folklore
● Indigenous medicine local customs
● Irrigation culture, tanks and reservoirs
Fig. 3.10
National resources:
² Mineral resources (graphite, gems,

soil, phosphate)
² Wild animals, waterfalls, various
types of beautiful flora and fauna
² Different types of grain and vegetables
² Fruits
² Other crops, Natural harbours
Fig. 3.11
Local products:
² Clothes
² Porcelain, roofing tiles,
bricks
² Brass works, wooden
works
² Masks
² Reedware
² Food
² Local creations Fig. 3.12
Now we have identified what our national or local identity is,

and through that knowledge we are able to understand the importance
of our national identities. First we should identify our own
products and appreciate them. Our responsibility is to give priority
to our local products.
Importance of appreciating local products and resources
² To be proud of local products
² To be able to make maximum use of local resources
² To be able to start different types of products using local
resources that open up paths to new job opportunities
² To be able to save money we use on imports
² To be able to produce fresh quality products such as food items
² To be able to identify local resources and start new productions
using them
² To be able to buy these products at a low price
² To be able to have faith in the products
² To be able to generate good attitudes regarding local products
We believe that you have identified the importance of appreciating

local products in order to stand as one nation. We hope that you will
give priority to the preservation of the national heritage we inherited
from the past and safeguard it for future generation. This is the duty of
every citizen.
Summary
After studying of this chapter, you will be able to inculcate
the following qualities as a good citizen.
³ Use of polite language
³ Respect the ideas of others and come to conclusions through
discussion
³ Practice discipline and behave well
³ Identify the good and bad
³ Respect the traditions, rules and regulations
³ Economical use of resources
³ Protect public property
³ Protect the environment
³ Appreciate the indigenous products

Civic Education: Grade 6

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ISBN 978 - 955 - 25 - 0084 - 8

Published by Educational Publications Department

Message from the Hon. Minister of Education

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

The government in its realization of the concept of free education has

I would like to bestow my sincere thanks on the members of the editorial

A.H.T. Thakshila Jayamini - Vice President,

S.V.Y. Kumari De Silva - Senior Lecturer,

R.M.P.A. Gunathilaka - Senior Lecturer,

Palitha Aravinda Virakkodi - Assistant Commissioner,

Anoma Karunarathna - In Service Advisor,

M.K. Kingsli Priyantha - Senior Lecturer,

J.M.M. Jayasundara - Teachers’ Service

K.D.D. Percival - Retired Senior Lecturer,

P.N. Nimesha Dilshni Dayarathne - Assistant Lecturer,

Illustrations and Cover Page

The Region We Live in 40 - 60

Apart from home, the environment that is most familiar to us

for free distribution 1

2 for free distribution

4 for free distribution

03. i Write the names of brilliant students produced by your school

Teachers - in - charge of Grades

Past Students Principal School Development Committee

1. Answer the following questions based on school organizational

for free distribution 7

1) Based on the diagram below, name the various organizations in the

(1) Your full name :................................

Guardian Birth certificate

3. The way you confirmed the correctness of your address

4. The way you confirmed the correctness of your date of admission

1) Enter your personal information and complete the given bio-data.

You are an extra special individual. No one on

for free distribution 11

Simple The Good

Fig 1.7 - Grade 6 students helping

Create an exhibit to show your talents using left overs, clay or

1.Collect information on several local as well as foreign individuals

for free distribution 15

16 for free distribution

Suspicion Harassing others

The story of a child who made a habit of telling lies

for free distribution 17

1. Complete the following grid with the guidance of your teacher.

18 for free distribution

Senaka Bibile, born on the

for free distribution 19

1. Identify the obstacles/challenges, you face. Write out what kind of

2. Considering the example given below, complete the following table.

Challenges How you Its outcome

Opportunities provided by the school for one's development

20 for free distribution

Fig 1.10 Fig 1.11

Fig 1.12 Fig 1.13

for free distribution 21

22 for free distribution

1. Prepare a timetable of your daily tasks which help you as a student

Taking the above points into consideration, prepare a program to

By working according to a plan, on various occasions, in the school