Shedding light on the higher education of Sri Lanka

Title: Pre University and

Development of Higher

Education in Sri Lanka

Author: Jayadeva Tilakasiri

Pages: 90

Today the university education is in conflict. There are varied views on university and free education. Some are of the view that as the state is unable to provide room and facility to everyone eligible to enter university; the private sector should be encouraged to set up fee levying universities.

Not only that some go to the extent of saying that those universities should open the doors-wide to let the foreign students enroll themselves and such a mixture would greatly benefit the student body as a whole.

While discussions are underway about the merits and demerits of the system and what the universities should be and who should run them, it is very timely and appropriate to draw the attention to the development of university education in Sri Lanka from its inception.

It is quite possible that the students who are already in and those looking to enter universities anew along with those going out at the end of their university life, including some of the professors, senior lecturers and lecturers and others connected to the academic staff or in some form part and parcel of the universities, may not know or have a very scanty knowledge of the beginning of the university education in Sri Lanka.

Pre University and Development of Higher Education in Sri Lanka by Prof. Jayadeva Thilakasiri perhaps could throw some light to enlighten those keen to know more about the beginning of university education here in Sri Lanka and also about those who pioneered in establishing on a firm footing the present day university education.

Making reference to the creation of the first university in the country the author says that “the standard of higher education in Sri Lanka(then Ceylon) resulting from the affiliation to London External system counted as a well-merited qualification to set up the first university.

“After years of debate, discussion and argument between officials and relevant authorities and delayed decision-making due to constrains of inadequate funding and also occurrences of hostilities worldwide, a final decision was taken to open the University of Ceylon, in 1942, for granting degrees to bring higher education within the reach of those eligible”. (page 5)

The author further states that “Ceylon’s independent university after the original idea was mooted during a period of two decades when controversies raged over the question of site (called the ‘battle of sites’) and of type and size as well and were finally settled for the establishment of “a unitary, residential university”.

With the passage of time, having understood the need to have specialized separate universities, the state ventured out to set up a university in Ruhuna with the emphasis to make it “a centre of excellence in certain specified fields such as agriculture, fisheries and marine resources for which the Southern has been historically famous.

Prof. Jayadeva, the author of the present book deals with demands, difficulties, developments and response in seven chapters.

After introductory note which quotes at length former Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel who had dedicated himself to the promotion and realization of higher education in the south of the country, deals with the subject of educational and Pirivena system and goes on to discuss the role played by the Buddhist clergy and Prelates.

The author takes pains to focus our attention to the fact, the influence we have had by linking with South Asian countries. He underscores the role played by our nation leaders in respect of education and higher education.

In the last chapter of his book, he speak loud about the necessity of learning English and shows the methods one should follow to master the language. The chapter on English at the University is to my mind is one, that all teachers of English and students should read, reread and assimilate the points therein to master the language.

The author notes “the use of English for comprehension of the text in relevant publications, primarily by students newly admitted to the university has to be considered as an essential priority. To understand the level of competence it would be necessary to begin with conversational English in the classroom and treat English as a life skill.”

Language is the great conduit whereby men convey their discoveries, reasoning, and knowledge from one another. Man needs society and society requires communication. Communication is the disclosure of one’s ideas to another. Man becomes fully human and a cultural being through communication.

Hence learning a second language, English for that matter helps a great deal to enhance once knowledge and helps to communicate with outside world.

There is a big demand for graduates with good English knowledge and hence should be given priority to learn English right from the beginning and schools should be geared to meet that demand.

The author laud the contribution of the Buddhist clergy played at every level of education. “Considering the university system today, it must be conceded that the education through the ‘pirivena’ system, has contributed to the high standards of specialized education connecting the monastic institutes of eminent standing.”

The author is conscious of the demand in market oriented society today and underscores the fact that “there is hope and expectation that the newly established universities and private institutions have accepted the challenge of organizing career guidance courses to cater to the essential requirements of students”.

Education is a lifelong process and the schooling is only a small but necessary part.

This means that education is not limited either to the school or university, the seat of higher learning and the aim of education is to help and guide students to their own human achievements.

Although it is not possible to meet all the emerging demands of the day, when planning for future, those in authority should take into account the essential needs of the students, in the new fields of study and education such as marketing, management, accounting, information technology, computer engineering and other related subjects which would open avenues of employment.

The author should be congratulated for his thought provoking essays and providing ingredients necessary to the keen researcher to pursue his task, a way of paying back his debt to his country.

- Wiruma