-A statement by 165 academics of the university system
(Lanka-e-News -15.April.2024, 10.50 PM) We are in the midst of an existentially threatening economic crisis. With an ever-increasing debt burden and low economic prospects, we continue to grapple with uncertain economic futures and related social and political distresses. As university teachers, we are concerned about the multiplicity of recent proposals seeking reforms in education that threaten to bring about a sea change in the way education is conceived of in this country: as a social good.
We note with outrage that these reform efforts have been coupled with deliberate measures to weaken and discredit state universities. While the budgetary allocations for state universities have been slashed, the government has violently suppressed any form of protest. Images of protesting students putatively wasting tax payers’ money are in wide circulation in the media. High-ranking politicians repeatedly allege that state universities are producing ‘unemployable graduates’ overlooking the fact that few employment opportunities exist for them. These narratives have convinced sections of the public that the reforms are not only necessary but the only course of action available, despite conclusive proof that similar reforms in other countries, such as the US and UK, have adversely impacted higher education.
The latest proposal is the National Education Policy Framework (NEPF), a cabinet paper that will soon be tabled in parliament addressing reforms in Early Childhood Education, General Education (i.e., primary and secondary schooling) and Tertiary Education. NEPF has not gone through any kind of consultative process, except for an open call for comments to be submitted. The NEPF’s proposals impinge on the two major education sectors: general education (i.e., primary and secondary schooling) and tertiary education, in ways that threaten the very foundations of the Free Education policy that the people of this country hold so dear. While the proposed reforms to school education are also far reaching, this statement highlights some of the changes proposed in tertiary education.
A new structure called the National Higher Education Commission (NHEC) is to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC). NHEC will bring both state universities and non-state higher education institutes/degree-awarding institutes under a single authority in which the private sector will have a strong presence. There is no evidence in the NEPF of a commitment to expand state support for public education. It clearly specifies however mechanisms to subsidize the private sector, accelerating the diversion of already scarce public resources to for-profit private tertiary education. Indeed, the main thrust of the policy framework appears to be to expand the role of the private sector in higher education by facilitating “participation of non-state partners, including public-private partnerships” (p.28).
While the government bemoans the low numbers accessing tertiary education (NEPF misleadingly states that only 8.9% gain admission to the universities today), government expenditure on education, as of 2022 World Bank figures, is 1.2% of GDP—the second lowest in the world. The government does not anticipate increasing investment in education except by “the redeployment of existing resources, leveraging of additional resources through partnerships with non-state entities, and private contributions” (p.4).
The NEPF proposes a complete overhaul of the way universities are funded. Financing of state universities will be through three channels: government funding via grants, student contributions via out-of-pocket payments and loans, and self-generated funds of the university. Further, funding of programmes will be based on student enrollment, not as assured line-item based funding in the annual national budget. Universities, both private and public, will be expected to compete for funds and survival.
Combined with general education, public tertiary education has historically helped reduce disparities and allowed some to escape poverty in Sri Lanka. Many of the middle class have benefitted from such access. District quotas for some academic programmes and a recognition of the differences in the social circumstances students bring with them to universities have made university education more accessible to students irrespective of gender, class, caste, region, and other signifiers of power and privilege. Through these mechanisms, universities have become integral to the country’s attempt to advance social justice. Furthermore, universities have sustained free health by providing low-cost health professional education.
The new governance structure will allow universities to create their own admission policies and, as they must compete for funds, will likely mean that degrees in fashion at a particular moment, will be key in determining the programmes offered. The types of desired students will also change as universities compete to capture students from urban and upper-middle-class social and educations backgrounds who may already have an advantage in the job market. This problem will be accentuated by plans to attract more “foreign students” for whom the NHEC will streamline visa processes and facilitate employment in Sri Lanka after graduation (p.26).
Other than for students with special needs, the NEPF does not outline any mechanisms to address social inequalities. When funding for education is made the responsibility of students, government contributions will further diminish over time. Ultimately, the astronomical costs associated with university education will mean that the wealthy will have greater access. These conditions will deepen already existing social cleavages.
The consequences of the changes in the policy on tertiary education will be huge. Indeed, free university education as we know it will cease to exist. The lack of an equitable system of education can only further impoverish the masses by denying one of the few avenues for social mobility available to them today. NEPF may not affect upper-middle-class people and urbanites who may have other opportunities for education. Those who wish for social cohesion in the country must understand that phasing out free university education will usher in a new era of tremendous instability.
We must oppose NEPF in no uncertain terms, and make a call for a wide ranging consultative mechanism before any reforms in education are proposed or undertaken.
SIGNED BY
1. A. K. David, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
2. A. M. Navaratna Bandara, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
3. Ahilan Kadirgamar, Univ. of Jaffna
4. Anurudda Karunarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
5. Anuruddha Pradeep Karnasuriya, Univ. of Sri Jayewardenepura
6. Anushka Kahandagama, formerly Univ. of Colombo
7. Arjuna Parakrama, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
8. Aruni Samarakoon, Univ. of Ruhuna
9. Athulasiri Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka
10. Asha L. Abeyasekera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
11. Avanka Fernando, Univ. of Colombo
12. Ayomi I. Irugalbandara, Open University of Sri Lanka
13. B. D. R. Prasantha, Univ. of Peradeniya
14. B. M. H. S. K. Banneheka, Univ. of Peradeniya
15. Barana Jayawardana, Univ. of Peradeniya
16. Bhathiya Rathnayake, Univ. of Peradeniya
17. Chamathka Devasirie Kariyawasam, Univ. of Peradeniya
18. Camena Guneratne, Open University of Sri Lanka
19. Chamika A. Silva, Univ. of Peradeniya
20. Chammika Mallawaarachchi, Univ. of Visual and Performing Arts
21. Charudaththe B. Illangasinghe, Univ. of Visual & Performing Arts
22. Chathurika Munasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
23. Chinthaka Chandrakumara, Univ. of Colombo
24. Chrishantha Abeysena, Univ of Kelaniya
25. Crystal Baines, formerly Univ. of Colombo
26. Dayapala Thiranagama, formerly Univ. of Kelaniya
27. Dewmini Amunugama, Univ. of Peradeniya
28. Dhamma Dissanayake, Univ.of Colombo
29. Dhanuka Bandara, Univ. of Peradeniya
30. Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka
31. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe, Univ.of Colombo
32. Dilmi Tharaka, Univ. of Peradeniya
33. Dimagi Pitawala, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
34. Dinuka Wijetunga, Univ.of Colombo
35. Erandika de Silva, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
36. A. Janarth, Eastern University, Sri Lanka
37. F. M. Nawastheen, Open University of Sri Lanka
38. Farzana Haniffa, Univ. of Colombo
39. Fazeeha Azmi, Univ. of Peradeniya
40. G. D. U. P. K. Gamage, Univ. of Peradeniya
41. Gameela Samarasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
42. Gananath Obeyesekere, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
43. Ganganee Chandima Samaraweera, Univ. of Ruhuna
44. Gayani Nawarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
45. Gayatri Wijekoon, Univ. of Colombo.
46. Geethika Dharmasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
47. Gihan de Chickera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
48. H. Sriyananda, Emeritus Professor, Open University of Sri Lanka
49. Harshana Rambukwella, formerly Open University of Sri Lanka
50. Hasini Lecamwasam, Univ. of Peradeniya
51. Hasintha Wijesekara, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
52. Hasitha Pathirana, Univ. of Kelaniya
53. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
54. Ishafa Illiyas, Univ. of Peradeniya
55. J. Prince Jeyadevan, Univ. of Jaffna
56. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo.
57. Jennifer Edama, Univ. of Peradeniya
58. Jinasena Hewage, formerly Univ. of Ruhuna
59. K. K. G. Randula, Univ. of Colombo
60. K. M. S. Wimalasiri, Univ. of Peradeniya
61. Kalpa Rajapaksha, Univ. of Peradeniya
62. Kamal Wasala, Univ. of Moratuwa
63. Kamani Sylva, Univ. of Peradeniya
64. Kanchuka Dharmasiri, Univ. of Peradeniya
65. Kasun Gajasinghe, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
66. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Univ. of Colombo
67. Kaushalya Perera, Univ. of Colombo
68. Kethakie Nagahawatte, Univ. of Colombo
69. Krishantha Fedricks, Univ. of Colombo
70. Krishmi Apsara, Univ. of Peradeniya
71. Kumudu Kusum Kumara, formerly Univ. of Colombo
72. Lahiruka Madhuwanthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
73. Liyanage Amarakeerthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
74. M. A. Nuhman, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
75. M. M. Alikhan, Univ. of Peradeniya
76. Madhara Karunarathne, Univ. of Peradeniya
77. Madhubhashini Disanayaka Ratnayake, Univ. of Sri Jayewardenepura
78. Maduranga Kalugampitiya, Univ. of Peradeniya
79. Madushani Randeniya, Univ. of Peradeniya
80. Mahendran Thiruvarangan, Univ. of Jaffna
81. Mahim Mendis, Open University of Sri Lanka
82. Manoj Alawathukotuwa, Univ. of Peradeniya
83. Ven. Muthukeliyawe Indarathana, Univ. of Peradeniya
84. N. Gafoordeen, Univ.of Colombo
85. Nadeesh de Silva, Open University. of Sri Lanka
86. Neavis Morais, Open University. of Sri Lanka.
87. N. G. A. Karunathilaka, Univ. of Kelaniya
88. Nicola Perera, Univ. of Colombo
89. Nira Wickramasinghe, formerly Univ. of Colombo
90. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Univ. of Colombo
91. Nishani Jayaweera, Univ. of Peradeniya
92. P. Iyngaran, Univ. of Jaffna
93. Paba Suraweera, Univ. of Peradeniya
94. Pamuditha Herath, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
95. Pavithra Ekanayake, Univ. of Peradeniya
96. Pavithra Jayawardena, Univ. of Colombo
97. Prabhath Jayasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
98. Pradeep Peiris, Univ. of Colombo
99. Priyantha Fonseka, Univ. of Peradeniya
100. R. T. Gamalath, Univ. of Peradeniya
101. R. Angammana, Univ. of Peradeniya
102. Rajan Hoole, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
103. Rajitha Ranasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
104. Ramanie Jayatilaka, formerly Univ. of Colombo
105. Ramesh Ramasamy, Univ. of Peradeniya
106. Ramila Usoof, Univ. of Peradeniya
107. Ramya Kumar, Univ. of Jaffna
108. Ranjini Obeyesekere, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
109. Rohan Laksiri, Univ. of Ruhuna
110. Ruhanie Perera, Univ. of Colombo
111. Rumala Morel, Univ. of Peradeniya
112. Rupika Rajakaruna, Univ. of Peradeniya
113. Ruth Surenthiraraj, Univ. of Colombo
114. S. Sivasegaram, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
115. S. Arivalzahan, Univ. of Jaffna
116. Sachini Marasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
117. Sahani Situbandara, Univ. of Peradeniya
118. Samal Vimukthi Hemachandra, Univ. of Colombo
119. Saman Dharmakeerthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
120. Saman Pushpakumara, Univ. of Peradeniya
121. Samudrika Sylva, Univ. of Colombo
122. Sandaruwan Subasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
123. Sarala Emmanuel, Open University of Sri Lanka
124. Sarath Witharana, Univ. of Kelaniya
125. Sasanka Perera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
126. Sasinindu Patabendige, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
127. Saumya Liyanage, Univ. of Visual and Performing Arts
128. Savitri Goonsekere, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo
129. Savitri Kumar, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
130. Seetha Bandara, Univ. of Kelaniya
131. Selvaraj Vishvika, Univ. of Peradeniya
132. Shalini Wijerathna, Univ of Peradeniya
133. Shamala Kumar, Univ. of Peradeniya
134. Shanil Wijesinha, Univ. of Colombo
135. Shashikala Assella, Univ. of Kelaniya
136. Shirley L. Wijesinghe, Univ. of Kelaniya
137. Shyamani Hettiarachchi, Univ. of Kelaniya
138. Siri Hettige, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo
139. Sirima Gajameragedara, formerly Rajarata Univ. of Sri Lanka
140. Sithumini Rathnamalala, Univ. of Moratuwa
141. Sivamohan Sumathy, Univ. of Peradeniya
142. Sudesh Mantillake, Univ. of Peradeniya
143. Supoorna Kulatunga, Univ. of Peradeniya
144. T. Sanathanan, Univ. of Jaffna
145. Tasneem Hamead, Univ. of Colombo
146. Thiru Kandiah, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
147. Udari Abeyasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
148. Ven. Uduhawara Ananada, Univ. of Colombo
149. Unnathi Samaraweera, Univ. of Colombo
150. Upul Abeyrathne, Univ. of Peradeniya
151. Uwin Ariyarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
152. Varuni Ganepola, formerly Univ. of Colombo
153. Vasanthi Thevanesam, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
154. Vihanga Perera, Univ. of Peradeniya
155. Vijaya Kumar, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
156. Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Univ. of Colombo
157. Vivimarie Vanderpoorten, Open University of Sri Lanka
158. Warshi S. Dandeniya, Univ. of Peradeniya
159. W. D. N. S. M. Tennakoon, Wayamba Univ. of Sri Lanka
160. Wijith Rohan Fernando, Univ. of Kelaniya.
161. W. M. M. P. Hulugalla, Univ. of Peradeniya
162. W. M. T. P. Ariyaratne, Univ. of Peradeniya
163. W. T. L. S. Fernando, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
164. Yasas Kulasekara, Univ. of Peradeniya
165. Yushani Alahakoon, Univ.of Peradeniya
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by (2024-04-15 17:26:19)
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