Unrest in the Lankan universities, who is responsible?

Nimal Ranatunga

During the past few years it has emerged as a common phenomenon the agitation by university students over various issues in a ruthless manner with an outburst of pandemonium.

Numerically the universities had intensified. In the past there was only one university - The Ceylon University. Generally universities are recognised as the highest seats of learning. They are expected to produce persons of academic brilliance excelled in various arts and sciences.

Large numbers of students compete for admission and the intake of students stand at a very low figure, even those who have attained a high level of performance are being deprived of the opportunity of gaining admission.

Generally those who have succeeded are considered brilliant and intelligent in accordance with the system of the written examination which is the only mode of evaluation, somewhat inconsistent with the principles of education.

The students enter the university with the fervent hope of a bright future, leading to a prosperous life endowed with social status and economic stability. But the aspirations of students in most of the disciplines are shattered into pieces when they realise that securing suitable employment is an arduous task.

By dint of this predicament they are eternally desperate, frustrated and disgruntled. Though they have won the colossal battle of gaining access, now they strongly feel that their future is not a bed of roses and it is shrouded with misery devoid of exuberance.

In the past there was only one university and the students were capable of getting an employment immediately after sitting the final examination even before the results were released. At present students of most faculties are not confident of their employment.

Even for them to succeed, it takes many years after their graduation. It is crystal clear that some of their grievances pertaining to diverse issues which had been aggravated for a long period of time in spite of them being ventilated to the bureaucratic authorities had not been solved to the entire satisfaction of the undergraduate.

The dismay and the frustration evoked in the minds of the disinclined students owing to the unfavourable and the hostile attitude of the administration had erupted antagonism towards the bureaucratic administration of the university.

When these students are distressed certain political parties conveniently making capital out of the situation exploit them to achieve the ambitions of these political parties. These students could be misled easily and utilised to get involved in meaningless political activities including parish pump politics.

The depressed mental state and the sedulous nature to engage in any reactionary activity and the young spirit to revolt against the existing order are the favourable factors which determine their active participation.

One salient characteristic which is highly conspicuous is the same rigid curriculum being continued for a considerable period of time without any adjustments. This is mainly common with the arts faculty where majority numbers of students are involved. They are devoid of any training to acquire a practical experience in various vocations.

The undergraduates particularly in the arts faculty are faced with an experience which is drudgery. They are being subjected to follow subjects which are composed of a stereotyped and a conventional pattern of syllabus and contents which had been in vogue for a long period.

This should be overhauled by educationists specialised in the respective subject areas. The development of the country is an essential activity which should be entrusted to the personnel with expertise knowledge and practical experience.

Our young graduates passing out from the universities should fit into this structure to achieve the steadfast objective. The curriculum should be mainly job-oriented and directed towards the development of the country.

Our young graduates possess a reservoir of intelligence, skills and creativity which should be conveniently moulded, tapped and directed towards the development of the country.

At the same time it is highly appropriate to render all the necessary assistance and to motivate the respective students of academic brilliance and those who are endowed with an insight and an aptitude with a knack for extensive studies and research in special areas should be persuaded to proceed with such studies.

Our university students should not be discarded and they should be given every opportunity to develop their personality devoid of being unfortunately subjected to evil, undesirable and detrimental influences beyond their control.

Our present Minister of Higher Education Prof. Vishwa Warnapala had correctly realised this situation and he endeavours to reorganise the entire university education for the advantage and benefit of everybody and our country as a whole.

The writer is former Director of Education and presently the Director of the Education Division, HelpAge Sri Lanka.

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Mobiles: A Necessary Evil?

We have had a huge response to our topic 'Is Political Activism Permissible in Universities?. This is one of the burning problems facing the country as politics seem to have taken over education at universities. While some thought that political activism should flourish in universities, others disagreed. Some were of the opinion that politics should be banished altogether from these hallowed seats of learning.

Again, it is a question of democracy. Such steps may not be practical in a country that values the freedom of expression. Unlike school students, university students are adults who are supposed to have a broad understanding of politics and the world around them.

But where do we draw the line? Politics sometimes practically invade the universities, disrupting lectures and studies. Students have been killed as a result of rivalry among student unions affiliated to various political parties. It is indeed a topic that should be given serious thought by educationists and the public.

Now we move on to our topic for December. Seven million Sri Lankans carry them already and thousands more join them every day.

The ubiquitous cell phone or the mobile has become a 'must-have' accessory for most people. Even schoolchildren and grandmothers flaunt them.

They have proliferated to the extent of becoming a menace. There is not a quiet place any more.

Enjoying a dinner in a cosy restaurant in peace is next to impossible as the person at the next table yells the details of his dog's breakfast into his handset.

The best line in the movie is rudely interrupted by a crass ringtone. Hello? Haven't they heard about the silent mode? Your car is rammed from behind by a driver who is deeply engrossed not in driving but in conversation with some unseen individual over the ether.

Your phone is inundated with SMS messages from people you have never heard of. Cellphone etiquette? Whoever heard of such a thing ?

Does one need to hug the phone always?

The mobile has its uses but should it practically take over our lives? Should we use it in a manner that drives others round the bend ? Is a cell phone really necessary for your child in Grade Six?

Write to us on the topic Mobiles: A Necessary Evil? using 750-1000 words to Daily News Debate, 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10 or email [email protected] on or before December 18, 2007.