The recent discussion at the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital on establishing a Higher Education Commission to regulate private universities and degree-awarding institutions is a timely and welcome proposal, especially at a time when education reforms are under serious consideration and private universities including local agents of foreign institutions are rapidly expanding across the country.

The truth is, despite its prestige and history, Sri Lanka’s State university system does not have the capacity to provide higher education to every qualified person. This capacity gap has resulted in a rise of private universities and foreign university affiliated institutions or agents seeking to fill the gap. In other words, whether we like it or not, private educational institutions are and will remain a key part in the country’s education system. Therefore, seeking ways to benefit from rather than opposing them is the best way forward.

While the growth of such institutions offers more opportunities, it also brings challenges. That is because without proper oversight, there is a risk that these parties may operate in ways that undermine the quality of Sri Lanka’s education system, mislead or misuse students or fail to adhere to national policies and regulations. As proposed, a Higher Education Commission could serve as a centralised regulatory body to ensure that private universities maintain standards consistent with the country’s educational objectives. It would provide a framework for the approval and monitoring of institutions, ensure transparency and facilitate the development of comprehensive systems to track performance, enrollment and outcomes. This in turn would support better decision-making by the authorities and provide students and parents with reliable information about the quality and legitimacy of private education providers.

It is important to ensure the involvement of diverse stakeholders in this process. Industry experts, education professionals, and where appropriate, the wider public should have a voice in shaping the regulatory framework and policies. Engaging these groups can help ensure that regulations are practical and focused on improving educational outcomes rather than simply imposing bureaucratic controls.

This discussion could be extended to the country’s private tuition class sector, which plays a key role in the education system, especially at the school level. Tuition classes often fill gaps left by the formal school system, but have also sparked debates about the quality and commercialisation of education. Despite their importance and influence, they are also yet to be adequately regulated and monitored. The Government should take a proactive role in regulating private tuition providers as well. While many tuition classes operate legitimately and help students improve their learning, there is a pressing need to ensure they adhere to standards and laws/regulations. This includes safeguarding students’ welfare, preventing exploitative practices and maintaining transparency about qualifications and teaching methods.

At the same time, reports that some of the highest-earning professionals in Sri Lanka come from the private tuition sector raise further questions about accountability. Concerns have been raised over whether these individuals and institutions comply with tax obligations. The size of the private tuition sector is significant and involves substantial financial flows. However, it appears to be one of the least regulated parts of the education sector. In addition, the lack of transparency has led to speculation about political interference or ties that may be preventing the effective regulation of the sector. This further highlights the broader issue of regulation in private education. The best way to address these concerns is effective regulation.

For Sri Lanka to move forward with meaningful education reforms, all forms of formal educational institutions must be regulated, monitored and guided in accordance with a national plan. Establishing a Higher Education Commission is an important first step in achieving it. As private education continues to grow, Sri Lanka cannot afford to let standards decline or remain stagnant. They must improve.