The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), on Wednesday (19), criticised President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s statement regarding giving more attention to establishing private universities.
FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda, pointing out the President’s statements about the passing of legislation that allows fully fledged private universities, alleged that the latter was trying to establish private universities using the prevailing economic crisis and the need for foreign investments as excuses.
The matter of private universities, which has become an issue that pops up from time to time, is delicate, and both those who oppose and support private universities have put forward legitimate concerns. On the one hand, there is the serious issue of students passing the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A/L) examination, with enough qualifications to follow a degree programme, not being able to enter state universities due to the lack of capacity in the state universities, and on the other hand, several recent incidents pertaining to private universities have raised concerns about the quality of the educational qualifications issued by such universities and the process of awarding them.
The truth is, giving more opportunities to private universities alone cannot resolve the concerns the President has raised, mostly due to the monetary resources students need to study in private universities. While those in higher-income groups are likely to opt for private universities due to reasons of social status and the ability to afford the relevant costs, middle-income groups may or may not see private universities as an option. However, those in low-income groups are unlikely to choose private universities, and this raises a question as to how many and what income groups would benefit the most from allowing the establishment of more private universities.
Therefore, giving more opportunities for private universities should be a decision that focuses on not only the need, but also the practicality of it. If the Government allows more private universities, it has to ensure that that decision addresses the issues it wants to address.
At the same time, the quality of education is a big concern. To compete with private universities, or to prevent private universities from affecting the popularity of state universities, the quality of education provided by state universities should be in step with that of private universities. The quality would be a concern for students coming from middle-income groups who can afford to decide between state universities and private universities. What is more, infrastructure development can increase the benefits of increasing the quality of the education provided by state institutions, as it can be a great asset with regard to attracting foreign students. The same is applicable to private universities as well, and if the Government actually starts supporting private universities, attracting foreign students should be a priority.
The matter of promoting and/or developing private universities is not a matter that has a clear-cut answer, and by now, Sri Lanka should have realised it. During the past few years, a plethora of protests, discussions, and debates took place in this regard, and the concerns raised by those supporting and opposing private universities sometimes seemed logical, even though the motives behind their stances remain questionable.
There is no doubt about the fact that those who are qualified to enter universities as per their GCE A/L results need a place to obtain higher education, and that those who want and can afford higher education at private universities, should have that opportunity. However, this is a complex matter that has a lot to do with not only education, but also the country’s economy and future, and therefore, blindly supporting or opposing private universities is not acceptable.
Although financial resources play a big role in developing the education sector, before that comes the need for a proper plan and genuine intentions.Private universities complementing, not overshadowing, state universities
20 Jan 2022
Private universities complementing, not overshadowing, state universities
20 Jan 2022
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), on Wednesday (19), criticised President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s statement regarding giving more attention to establishing private universities.
FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda, pointing out the President’s statements about the passing of legislation that allows fully fledged private universities, alleged that the latter was trying to establish private universities using the prevailing economic crisis and the need for foreign investments as excuses.
The matter of private universities, which has become an issue that pops up from time to time, is delicate, and both those who oppose and support private universities have put forward legitimate concerns. On the one hand, there is the serious issue of students passing the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A/L) examination, with enough qualifications to follow a degree programme, not being able to enter state universities due to the lack of capacity in the state universities, and on the other hand, several recent incidents pertaining to private universities have raised concerns about the quality of the educational qualifications issued by such universities and the process of awarding them.
The truth is, giving more opportunities to private universities alone cannot resolve the concerns the President has raised, mostly due to the monetary resources students need to study in private universities. While those in higher-income groups are likely to opt for private universities due to reasons of social status and the ability to afford the relevant costs, middle-income groups may or may not see private universities as an option. However, those in low-income groups are unlikely to choose private universities, and this raises a question as to how many and what income groups would benefit the most from allowing the establishment of more private universities.
Therefore, giving more opportunities for private universities should be a decision that focuses on not only the need, but also the practicality of it. If the Government allows more private universities, it has to ensure that that decision addresses the issues it wants to address.
At the same time, the quality of education is a big concern. To compete with private universities, or to prevent private universities from affecting the popularity of state universities, the quality of education provided by state universities should be in step with that of private universities. The quality would be a concern for students coming from middle-income groups who can afford to decide between state universities and private universities. What is more, infrastructure development can increase the benefits of increasing the quality of the education provided by state institutions, as it can be a great asset with regard to attracting foreign students. The same is applicable to private universities as well, and if the Government actually starts supporting private universities, attracting foreign students should be a priority.
The matter of promoting and/or developing private universities is not a matter that has a clear-cut answer, and by now, Sri Lanka should have realised it. During the past few years, a plethora of protests, discussions, and debates took place in this regard, and the concerns raised by those supporting and opposing private universities sometimes seemed logical, even though the motives behind their stances remain questionable.
There is no doubt about the fact that those who are qualified to enter universities as per their GCE A/L results need a place to obtain higher education, and that those who want and can afford higher education at private universities, should have that opportunity. However, this is a complex matter that has a lot to do with not only education, but also the country’s economy and future, and therefore, blindly supporting or opposing private universities is not acceptable.
Although financial resources play a big role in developing the education sector, before that comes the need for a proper plan and genuine intentions.Kapruka
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!