Resolve problems in higher education

The majority of the public is likely to agree with President Kumaratunga that "stringent changes" or reforms should be introduced to Sri Lanka's higher educational sphere.

In fact, the President has done well to clarify some contentious issues in this area of concern over the past few months and we could only hope that wise counsel would prevail in the handling of these questions among those in authority.

The stark truth is that 97 percent of students who qualify for university entry at the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination are not in a position to avail of a higher education on account of the extremely limited number of students who are absorbed each year into our universities. Thus the vast number of our students are - for no fault of theirs - not in a position to fulfill a very vital human need which is, in fact, an inalienable right.

Unfortunately, not all sections of the polity recognize this as a glaring anomaly which needs to be put right through the adoption of pragmatic measures. As suggested by the President, these sections are dabbling in or splitting hairs over abstract theoretical issues without formulating some implementable practical measures which would enable the State to provide every student who qualifies at the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination a fair chance of pursuing a higher education.

They would seek to maximize their political gains over these issues rather than ease the heartburn suffered by these hapless students and their parents. The time is ripe, however, to abandon tired and threadbare political shibboleths over these questions. One way out, as the President herself suggests, is to permit foreign universities to open some of their faculties here.

A second way out is to permit the functioning of private degree awarding local higher educational institutions. It should be noted that we are not without a few such institutions which are on par with any of the traditional State universities.

Besides paving the way for granting the right to pursue a higher education to a substantial number of our students, this measure would enable the country to save a massive amount of valuable foreign exchange, which would otherwise be drained out of the country as a result of parents and elders spending lavishly on their children's education in foreign universities.

In any case, quite a few local educational institutions, providing post secondary education, are already tied up with some foreign universities. These innovations in higher education wouldn't, therefore, be revolutionary by any means.

It is important that we explore all such practical means to resolve these long-smouldering issues in higher education. Let's not split-hairs while the future of our youth is irrevocably destroyed.