Expansion of education in Sri Lanka

Ven. Dr. T. Dhammaratana

Many scholars wrote on the subject of colonial education system in Ceylon, pointing out the structure of education under colonial vision.It is well-known that the system of schools was introduced to Ceylon on the recommendation of the Colebrooke Commission which set up by the British Administration in 1829-32, to investigate colonial Government in Ceylon, and also to make recommendations on other areas of development such as administration, financial and economic issues, and judicial re-form.

Recommendations

As a result of the positive recommendations of the above Commission the Ceylon inherited to form the first Constitutional Government with a modernization of traditional economic system in the country by introducing a uniform system of justice, education and civil administration. As a follow up, the recommendations of

the Commission, the modern school system was introduced to the island in 1836. The main objectives of colonial education system were to prepare a small number of administrators to run colonial policies in and out of the country.

That is why, on the occasion of the official inauguration of Peradeniya University in 1954, in the presence of the Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh concluded his opening speech saying that “You have remarked Chancellor, that it is not easy to open a University, because once established it is always open. However, like the shopkeepers of London during the bombing, I can declare this place to be more open than usual....”

The above concluding remark of the Duke of Edinburgh, one can interpret the country has been opened to the world, to develop its intellectual culture in promoting higher education and research, to share educational experience worldwide, and doors were opened to citizens of Ceylon in creating Sri Lankan elite generation to stand up among world community.

Thanks to the leaders and elites of our country, who have been committed with deep understanding the necessity in expanding national education system for the better interest of the nation by providing their vision, guidance and courage in creating several commissions and strategies to upgrade the existing education system in Sri Lanka from time to time.

Ancient record

It is worthy to note that Sri Lanka had an unbroken education history with the introduction of Buddhism, culture and education system by Arhant Maha Mahinda, the son of the great Buddhist Emperor Asoka of India in the Third century B.C. Since then, after creating the Mahavihara in the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, the great seat of learning in ancient Island of Tambapanni, made a record in human history.

Traditional education

It is evident that the Mahavihara in Anuradhapura even established its affiliated learning institutions in South East Asia. Therefore, Sri Lankan civilization inherited such traditional education from the ancient elite lineage of Taksashila and Nalanda universities in ancient India, which were recognized as foremost learning institutions in human history.

Even today, such traditional education system maintains under the education system of Pirivena, which has been benefited by our most of senior scholars in the country.

The history has changed the tradition, politics and other environment of the life system of our country after invasions of foreign powers. Among them, Portuguese, Dutch and English domination have been trying to introduce their culture, religion and education to the nation. However, as a result of domination of Sri Lanka by foreign invaders, the country faced many challenges in the education sphere for several centuries.

Education reforms were headed by then Education Minister Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara (1884-1969), establishing free education system and Maha Vidyalaya or Central Colleges in all districts including rural areas to provide education to all in the island.

By following the State Council Ordinance in 1939, it has been given powers to the Executive Committee of Education to exercise its legitimacy to create new regulations in establishing a new system which was expected to ensure that education was provided with equal opportunities to all children irrespective of their social class, religion, economic condition and ethnic origin. In addition to that, a Special Commission was created by Kannangara in 1942 under his Chairmanship, to investigate real status of education in the nation.

The Committee gave lasting value to the nation and a promising future of education. Its report was published in 1943 with following priorities: (a) education should be free from the kindergarten to the University (b) Mother tongue should be used as the medium of instruction in primary schools (c) English should be taught in all schools from Standard III (d) A curriculum for the child which would develop its “head, heart and hands” should be introduced.

By turning a new leaf in the education history of Sri Lanka, Kannangara implemented recommendations and re-formed the existing colonial education system in 1945.

Changing point

It opened doors to each child enabling them to reach to the highest position in education even to be the Head of State. Since then, succeeding Governments continued to expand the education system from elementary to higher education by establishing Universities in every corners in the island.

Recent statistics show that there are 9,830 public schools serving 4,030,000 students, 19 Universities in the island have been established to develop an intellectual culture in the country. Besides, several institutes of technological studies and Post-Graduate Autonomous Institutes and 561 Pirivenas are serving the entire education system. In the beginning of the 20th Century the world vision has changed as a result of globalization.

To be continued