‘Govt will never lay its hands on free education’
S.B. Dissanayake
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The government will never lay its hands on the free education system
however much university students create an uproar under the impression
that it would do so, Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake said,
when he graced the annual sportsmeet of the Udunuwara Handessa Maha
Vidyalaya at the school grounds as chief guest recently.
The minister said in addition to students entering state
universities, others gaining highest marks at the GCE Advanced Level
examination would be given an opportunity to enter private universities
under the free education system.
Private universities would be called upon to set apart 20 percent of
their intake to students having opportunities for free education. The
government's endeavour had been to extend and widen free education,
rather than abolish or prune it.
Minister Dissanayake said that the majority of students today entered
universities with a defeatist attitude when they failed to gain entrance
to the university of their choice. Almost 60 percent of such students
had obtained the degree for mere name sake, without enthusiasm. This
situation ought to be changed.
Therefore, a long-term plan would be implemented to decrease the
number of arts students and increase the number studying science
subjects.
Arts students would be provided opportunities to obtain degrees in
Nursing, English Language, Information Technology as well as a
tri-lingual special degree.
The minister said that in developed countries, most of the talented
students in Mathematics, entered the science stream to become
scientists, rather than trying to become engineers.
“Those countries thought that intelligent students should be admitted
to the science stream to produce scientists who could contribute towards
national development. We too should adopt a similar policy in the
long-term.
Minister Dissanayake said that sports was an essential component to
create discipline, as for personality building. An inter house sports
meet was a good opportunity for students and staff to gain experience in
life. He would thank the Principal and staff of Handessa Maha Vidyalaya
for encouraging students of all grades to take part in their sportsmeet.
Central Provincial Council member Manel Bandara and Shantha
Piyasinghe were also present on the occasion.
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