By Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D.

The UNP of 1977 to 1995 and the Ranil Wickremasinghe Administration of 2002- 2004, instead of developing our education system have actually reoriented it in favour of the rich. In actuality the UNP successfully created a two tier education system, one for the rich and another for the middle classes.

Sri Lanka could be proud of its universal education system- free education for all up to the tertiary level. At the primary and secondary levels it was a systematic broad education, with Central Schools in all Districts to which the scholars from all walks of life, from every area, were entered and educated at Government expense. In detail, students who prove themselves from backward areas like Padaviya and Kebitigollewa were provided with ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”scholarshipsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to the Anuradhapura Central College where they were assured of education comparable to the best secondary schools in the island. They were provided with board and lodging at State expense. This was a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”scholarshipƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ system that does not exist in any other Developing country. The graduands were entered to the State Universities that were well maintained and run efficiently. Many of these students ultimately achieved high academic prestige as administrators, scientists, lawyers and some hold special positions in many World acclaimed Universities and international organizations. At the tertiary level, Free education was provided with bursaries and scholarships for those who could ill afford. Even in developed countries like the USA and the UK fees are charged from students. I have close friends in the USA who cannot afford to send their children to Universities because they cannot afford the fees! Sri Lanka stands unique.

Instead of developing our schools the UNP Government introduced international schools for the rich of our country. The entire education system including the secondary and the tertiary sectors were changed to suit the rich. In 2002 I wrote:

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The UNP Government in its Seventeen Years established a two tier system of education, one for the rich and another for the poor. The poor had to attend State run schools and compete to get into the Sri Lankan Universities. The rich were allowed to send their children to be educated in the English medium at International Schools and these children are offered foreign exchange for foreign university studies. Many Universities in the UK and the USA have even reduced their entry standards to attract these students because they can then find funds to keep these Universities runningƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. (From:How the IMF Ruined Sri Lanka & Alternate Programmes of Success, Godages)

Even when Sri Lanka was not indebted, i.e. before 1977, Sri Lanka did not allow foreign exchange for studies in foreign Universities unless that course of study was not available in Sri Lanka. The UNP policy was to allow foreign exchange for the rich who could afford and the graduands of the international schools were accommodated. The outflow of foreign exchange for each such student amounted to as much as thirty thousand pounds per year. This was at a time when the country could ill afford foreign exchange. In short the country borrowed foreign money at high interest. The country bled to death.

Let me quote the Sinhala Commission of 2001, to further elaborate the consequences of introducing international schools:

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Like the English Schools established by the missionaries in colonial times, the International Schools are catering to an elitist few. In 1961, with the take over of the denominational schools and a uniform curriculum up to grade 8 adopted, the Government instituted a national system of education in the country. The establishment of these International Schools now poses a grave threat to the national system which has existed for three decades.

The International Schools are not obliged to teach Sri Lankan(Ceylon) History. Nor will they be teaching Buddhism, the religion of 70% of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s people. On the other hand their curriculum will be geared in the direction of subjects for the London GCE O Level, and GCE A Level. These Schools will naturally breed a race of alien people cynical of Sri Lankan culture and heritage, ignorant of its history and with complete disregard for its ancient customs and value systems. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ These International Schools have no uniform standard to follow or uniform curriculum to teach. Each one is allowed to have its own standard and pattern.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Paras 15.1 to 15.3)

The teaching of history was dropped in the Seventies and this led to the production of generations of Sinhala students without a knowledge of their proud Sri Lankan history and heritage and consequently with a lack of any sense of patriotism. (From: The Sinhala Commission)

It is necessary that the education system of any country should provide not only academic knowledge but also educate the children in their cultural values and religion. By ignoring this, the International Schools created children who developed an affinity to alien values and scorned everything that was great in our culture and national heritage. That was the contribution of the UNP to our secondary education system.

The Universities were neglected. In the Fifties when I was a student at Peradeniya we were taught by Professors who ranked among the best in the world. Frequent scholarships for their study enabled them to acquire a versatile and enhanced knowledge. Then, the Library was fully equipped with all leading Academic Journals and the best of literature on every subject. The standard of the University could easily be compared to the Universities of Manchester and Michigan State where I have done post-graduate study. In recent visits to the Library at Peradeniya I have found that it does not have even the basic research journals that are required to enable the graduands to have a sound knowledge in their subject. The Libraries and Faculties are starved of foreign exchange for the provision of computers and modern facilities that are essential today.

By starving the funding of the State Schools and Universities, by providing for international schools to provide education for the children of the rich and by allowing foreign exchange for study at foreign universities the UNP Government systematically eroded the excellence of the free education system, which was very special to Sri Lanka.

The question that emerges is as to why Sri Lanka allows a stupendous amount foreign exchange for a minority of children of the rich, numbering around 100,000 while neglecting the vast majority of children in Government schools amounting to as much as four million..

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has already commenced teaching Sri Lankan history and his aim is to develop a nation that will be culturally developed. His proposals are embodied in his Mahinda Chintanaya:

My firm resolve is to ensure that children of all religions would be able to obtain an education in keeping with their religious beliefs.

I will not deprive our children of their right to free education, No child will be allowed to study in hunger. I will therefore offer a rice meal at mid day to every school going child, All Maha Vidyalayas and Central Colleges will be developed with all modern facilities, Top priority will be given to enhance the proficiency of the English language, Infrastructure facilities such as water, electricity and telecommunication will be allowed to every rural school, The right to pursue higher studies by all students who pass the advanced level has to be protected. I am prepared to accept that challenge.

I intend increasing the number of students to be enrolled into the Universities by commencing new courses and expanding the present facilities.

A University for the Buddhist clergy will be established which will be capable of providing Buddhist education The Mahinda Chintanaya is a Five Year Plan and some of the above proposals are being implemented today. The Mahinda Chintanaya provisions will undoubtedly usher an era of educational excellence for all.

If the UNP/JVP and their Common Candidate comes into power one can expect a further erosion of the free education system and the development of a system that will favour the rich.

Garvin Karunaratne,

Ph.D.(Michigan State),

Former member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, 7/1/2010