Geared up for better education Dharma Sri Abeyratne Excerpts on interview with Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake President Rajapaksa meets schoolchildren Q: According to Mahinda Chintana, the vision for the future, Sri Lanka is converted to a centre for knowledge in the Asia. To reach that set goal, Higher Education Ministry has to play a vital and pivotal role as a pathfinder, a policymaker and many more characters. Then what steps has the ministry taken to achieve the set target? A: On the advice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Higher Education Ministry first studied the ongoing undergraduate courses studied in universities aiming to upgrade their standard and quality. In addition, the president strongly believed that universities should be converted to disciplined, cultured, independent, communicative and democratic institutions. Sometime back, the universities in the country were controlled by university students. Vice Chancellor, Dean or any other official were not strong enough to change that practice. The minority of these students, who controlled the universities, destroyed the free education system while severely damaging the mentality of other education oriented students. These students were backed by a political party. Therefore, first of all, this system had to be changed. This was not a simple process as the Ministry had to take many actions such as punish students, suppress students’ protests and make parents aware. Academic staffers and non academic staffers greatly assisted the Ministry to establish this peaceful situation in the university system. Today, except Peradeniya and Ruhuna universities, other universities have turned into a better situation. This situation is a great achievement which we obtained during the last six year period. Meanwhile, a few students wanted to expand the thug situation to Jaffna and Eastern universities. They tried to spread the LTTE views throughout the universities. Besides, certain financial misuses were reported from these universities. However, this system could be changed and now the universities are functioning properly. Now we are engaging in converting the medium of undergraduate courses in to English. When we indulge in this, it has been noticed that there is some issues with the English knowledge of lecturers. To rectify this language related issue, the Ministry has opened avenues for more than 200 lecturers to upgrade their English knowledge undergoing courses in foreign countries. In addition these lecturers can read for post graduate programmes abroad. On the request of the Ministry, World Bank funds this programme. This year onwards all the undergraduate courses will be taught in English. The Ministry is engaging in converting courses in to English nowadays. Meantime, new more undergraduate courses have been introduced so as to meet the present day requirements of the job market. The government as well as the Ministry strongly believes that English language should not be a barrier for university graduates when they enter the job market. Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake Meanwhile, politically motivated students banned other students to be in libraries, lecture halls or even to meet a lecturer to discuss lecture or study related matter. Students were asked to collect money having tills in their hands in public places for the sake of the political activities of this student group which was backed by that narrow sighted political party. However, during the past few years’ period this ‘Tills culture’ has totally been wiped out from the university system. Moreover, the pessimistic students group did not allow other students to speak in English since they were envious of others speaking in English. Happy to say, during the six year period, such ill practices have been eradicated from the university system. Q: For the first time in the history of higher education, a leadership qualities development programme was introduced for the new entrants from this year. We witnessed the students who underwent the leadership training programme highly appreciated this novel programme. Even though, there were some allegations about this introduction mentioning that students were being given military training. What made the Higher Education Ministry enrich students with leadership qualities? A: With the blessings of President Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa a novel concept was introduced to university entrants under the theme ‘Leadership training’ which was mush attracted and highly admired by almost all students. Under this programme, all students who had been selected for universities were underwent a 21 day training programme called “Developing leadership qualities” at several military training centres throughout the country. During the training, the trainees have been taught many lessons aiming to enrich them with leadership qualities such as physical efficiency, squad drill, cultural activities, leadership activities, rafting, confident building courses, discipline and etiquette improvement activities and so on. Almost all students were highly keen on participating in the leadership training programme. The student who followed the training programme would enter to the society with courage and confident. Q: It is said that this century is lead or driven by technology and knowledge. Apart from knowledge and technology, English as the linking language will play a significant role. What are the plans with the Higher Education Ministry to bring latest technology and knowledge to university students? A: In line with the leadership training programme, another programme was introduced to upgrade the English knowledge of the students who have been selected for universities. This English language course was held in 200 centres throughout the country. This year onwards all the undergraduate courses will be taught in English. The Ministry is engaging in converting courses in to English nowadays. Meantime, new more undergraduate courses have been introduced so as to meet the present day requirements of the job market. Accordingly it has been scheduled to start tourism degree programme for Arts students and a nursing programme for science students. The government as well as the Ministry strongly believes that English language should not be a barrier for university graduates when they enter the job market. There should be a value for the degree. The university graduates should receive due recognition once they enter to the job market. They should not be lagging behind searching for jobs. Such a mechanism which brings demand for degree is now underway. Novel technology has been implemented for the university system during the past six year period. Internet or computer is no more a dream for student. Every new student is given a laptop on a soft loan facility. The students have to pay the rentals once they will be employed. Under this project, 25,000 laptops are being distributed. Meanwhile, 10,000 who need much attention on improving English language have been selected for undergoing USA scholarship programme on distance learning. Ministry took steps to network all universities under the World Bank project. Academic and administrative activities will be easier with the computer networking. Q: The said salary anomalies of academic staff have already been rectified. At the same time, Ministry sources reveal that steps have been taken to increase the salaries of non-academic staff also. Does non academic staff suffer from salary anomalies? A: On the advice of President, the Ministry took steps to rectify salary anomalies of university lecturers. The salaries of all sorts of lecturers have been increased. In line with this increment, the Ministry will take steps to increase the salaries of non-academic staffers of universities though they don’t have salary anomalies. It is being processed now by the Finance Ministry and other government institutions. Q: Private universities are established aiming to let more students to obtain higher educational qualifications amides huge obstructions of certain parties. How is the present situation of this project? A: On a policy decision, private universities are allowed to establish in the country. According to the agreement with these private universities, 20 percent of more students of the total intake of these universities will be given free higher education at these private universities. However there is a repercussion on the quality and standards of these universities. The Ministry is always keen on the quality of these universities since the Ministry has drawn its attention on the quality related issue. As a remedy for qualitative improvement, Private University Act will be forwarded to the parliament in due course.