Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara - Father of Free Education:
Patriot worthy of emulation
W T A Leslie Fernando
On September 23, every year we commemorate Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara,
the Father of Free Education in Sri Lanka. He was also one of the galaxy
of patriots who led the national movement of first half of the 20th
Century and laid the foundation for the Independence we enjoy today.
Dr. Christopher William Wijeykone Kannangara was born in Randombe,
Ambalangoda on October 13, 1884. He had his early education at Wesleyan
High School at Ambalangoda. He was a child of 12 years when his father
lost his job. This was a big blow to his family of six children who had
to struggle hard for his daily sustenance. But Kannangara was courageous
from the beginning. He wrested the Foundation scholarship and entered
Richmond College, Galle.
Richmond at that time was meant for the rich and poor Kannangara had
to undergo many difficulties and suffer embarrassment. Perhaps the
experiences in his young days might have induced Kannangara to fight so
gallantly for Free Education in later years for the benefit of poor
children.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara |
Temperance Movement
Although poor in wealth young Kannangara was rich in talent. He
excelled in studies and sports in the field. He carried away the largest
number of prizes at prize-givings. In 1903, he passed the Cambridge
Senior examination, placed in the first division obtaining the higher
marks for mathematics among the students in British colonies.
After leaving school, he taught for some time at Prince of Wales
College, Moratuwa and at Wesley College, Colombo. While teaching at
Colombo, he attended Law College and in 1910 passed out as a lawyer. He
commenced his practice at Galle and earned the reputation as a clever
lawyer. He defended those innocent people who were arrested in the riots
in 1914 without any remuneration.
Dr. Kannangara entered the national arena as an active member of the
Temperance Movement initiated by patriots like FR Senanayake, Sir Baron
Jayatillaka, D.S. Sennanayake, Arthur V. Dias and Piyadasa Sirisena. In
the 1930’s he began to wear the national costume introduced by P. de S.
Kularatna, G.P. Malalasekera, C. Sundrealingam and others. Since then he
never donned the Western costume.
He was a founder member of the Ceylon National Congress, the main
plank of which was to obtain independence for Sri Lanka. In 1924, he was
elected to the Legislature to represent Galle. In 1930 Dr. C. W. W.
Kannangara was selected the President of the National Congress. In 1931,
he was elected to the State Council as the member for Galle. In 1936, he
was re-elected to the State Council this time as member for Matugama.
Free education scheme
Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara was the Education Minister in the State Council
from 1931 to 1947. During this time there was a remarkable progress in
the sphere of education. The free mid-day meal for schoolchildren,
establishment of the Peradeniya University and institution of Central
Schools were all his achievement but his greatest contribution was the
Free Education Scheme.
Higher education at that time which was in English, was the exclusive
preserve of the rich. University education was beyond the reach of even
of those with an average income. The poor had to be satisfied with
secondary education at most. It was in this situation on the initiative
taken by A. Ratnayake, the member for Dumbara in the State Special
Committee on Education recommended free education.
When Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara introduced the Bill that contained free
education he had to face severe Opposition from parties with vested
interests. When Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara introduced the Bill of Education
that contained the Free Education Scheme in that august assembly in the
State Council, he made one of the longest speeches in the legislature.
He concluded his speech on the adjourned day on June 2, 1944 and sat
down under thunderous applause from State Council members.
Indian government representative M. S. Aney who had listened to the
entire speech from the distinguished visitors gallery rushed downstairs,
took Dr. Kannangara by both hands and said, “You would have been
worshipped as a God, had you been in India.”
Those with vested interests did everything possible to sabotage free
education. Some critics of free education suggested that instead of free
education scholarships should be introduced to poor children selected by
competitive examination. Dr. Kannangara and other sponsors of free
education were too clever to be trapped in that manner.
Vigorous campaign
Some others asked why free education should be extended to the rich.
Dr. Kannangara who had to undergo difficulties and embarrassment replied
that he did want to create class distinction in education. Some lamented
that there would be no youth left to pluck the yield in their estates.
That was the very type of inequality free education aimed to eliminate.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara and his supporters carried a vigorous and
sensational campaign all over the country. He held meetings and answered
all the accusations levelled against free education and dispelled its
critics. He and his supporters explained the benefits of free education
and created a strong public opinion in its favour. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara
then won over majority of members in the State Council and saw the Free
Education Bill passed in the State Council.
The Free Education Scheme called ‘The Pearl of Great Price’ opened
the doors of higher education to the poor. Education was made free from
kindergarten to the University. Along with free education more and more
Central Schools were established all over the country with a greater
concentration in rural areas. Scholarships from the fifth standard
providing free board and lodging, besides free education were endowed to
poor talented children selected by a competitive examination.
Thus the way was prepared for those poor but clever children who
earlier had only a bleak future to reap the benefits of free education.
The parents of children who could not afford higher education of their
offsprings because of their poverty shed tears of joy. Today as a result
of free education there are University dons, administrative officers,
doctors, engineers, accountants, architects, judges and lawyers who hail
from among the poor and humble citizens of this country.
To the surprise of many, Dr. Kannangara lost his Matugama seat at the
Parliamentary elections held in 1947 two years after he introduced free
education, yet he took the defeat like a gentleman and never grumbled
about it. The progressive steps he took in education like vocational
training were all shelved after his defeat.
In 1952, Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara was elected to Parliament as the
member for Agalawatta. But those with vested interests saw to it that he
was not made the Minister of Education. He served as the Minister of
Local Government from 1952 to 1956. In the 1956 Parliamentary elections
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara did not seek re-election and retired from
politics.
Corruption and challenges
Whatever the faults of the educational system like the necessity for
tuition, preferential treatment to prestigious schools, political
interference, corruption and challenges posed by the international
schools and private schools, we could still see the Free Education
Scheme yielding benefits to the poor.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara was 60 years old when he presented the Free
Education Bill. He died at the age of 85 and passed away on September
23, 1969, exactly 25 years after presenting his far-reaching piece of
legislation. He was able to see the fruits of his remarkable endeavour
and take pride in his achievement.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara was born poor and died poor. In his long
political career he never used his position to amass any wealth. In his
last years, he had to be assisted by a special grant from the state. Yet
in another sense, he died rich-rich in his service to the people.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara, the Father of Free Education in Sri Lanka is
a great statesman and patriot worthy of emulation by generations. He is
enshrined with gratitude in the hearts of thousands of us who have
benefitted by free education. As long as free education exists in our
country, Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara would be venerated by the people of Sri
Lanka.
The writer is a
former High Court Judge and a Vice President of the Newman Society
Alumni Association |