• Critical of NEPF 2023-33 while calling for regulation of int’l schools registered under Companies Act

The Coalition for Educational Development (CED) organisation urged all political parties and independent groups and candidates to outline their plans for the national education system ahead of the upcoming General/Parliament Election. 

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday (30), the CED President Dr. Chandana Bandara highlighted the critical need for political parties to prioritise education policy development and address ongoing issues within the sector. 

He specifically called upon the incumbent National People’s Power Government to review past education reforms to ensure that any new policies build on existing efforts. “It is the duty of all political parties to give priority to education policy development,” he stated, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive approach to policy-making that benefits the country’s education system.

Speaking about the National Education Policy Framework (NEPF) for 2023-2033, a policy document drafted by a committee appointed under the former Government led by ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, he claimed that the said Framework was created without consulting crucial stakeholders, including civil society organisations and teachers’ trade unions. He criticised the lack of engagement, arguing that “such a crucial exercise has to be done by consulting all the relevant parties, which makes it more reliable and effective.” He emphasised that an inclusive approach would contribute to a policy framework that better serves the needs of students and educators alike.

Meanwhile, Senior Professor Arjuna Parakrama criticised the said NEPF, labelling it an “absurd” document and questioning its credibility. He opined that the report’s origins were not transparent as neither the committee members nor the report’s authors were disclosed initially. “No one knew who the committee members were,” Prof. Parakrama claimed. “We had to file a Right to Information request to discover that it was a 25-member committee, with many members affiliated with information technology companies. No teachers were included, and only two university academics participated, both of whom lack the relevant experience.” Prof. Parakrama argued that the proposed Framework appears to favour large corporations over the actual needs of the education sector, noting that it risks exacerbating existing inequalities. He expressed concerns that the recommendations primarily benefit students from privileged backgrounds, further entrenching disparities in the education system. According to him, the NEPF promotes education as a financial investment, which he believes is an unsuitable approach for a sector that should be focused on equity and accessibility. “These proposals in the NEPF would promote the existing neoliberal structure in education. As we know, an investment is made with an expectation of profit. How can education be treated as such? It is a right,” he asserted.

Prof. Parakrama also raised concerns about the regulation of the private education sector, particularly international schools. He pointed out that many of these institutions operate outside the purview of the Ministry of Education. “This is a serious issue. Out of all the international schools, only seven are registered under the Board of Investment, while the rest are registered as companies under the Companies Act. The question is, how can a company provide quality education to students?,” he queried, calling for increased regulation of these institutions to ensure that they adhere to educational standards.

The CED appealed to the authorities to safeguard the free education system and guarantee that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education. Prof. Parakrama highlighted the importance of meeting students’ basic needs to maximise educational productivity and insisted that all political parties should present a clear vision on education reform.