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Thursday, 16 February 2012

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Government Gazette

‘Govt will never lay its hands on free education’



S.B. Dissanayake

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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