Jayantha Herath

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Policy Brief Summary

Definition of Free Education
Free education is not limited to tuition-free schooling—it includes both free and affordable fee-based models that are accessible and inclusive.

Government Responsibilities
– Provide tuition-free education at all levels through public funding.
– Ensure fee-based options are affordable and supported by financial aid.
– Offer infrastructure support (e.g., textbooks, transport, digital access).
– Promote inclusive access for marginalized and disadvantaged groups.

Policy Implications
Governments must invest in systems that remove barriers to education and uphold the principle of equity in both access and quality.

Here’s a matched list of Sri Lanka’s education challenges (2025) with their corresponding proposed solutions:

🔄 Challenge–Solution Mapping

Challenge	Matched Solution
Limited Access to Higher Education	• Expand Central Colleges into university-level institutions • Establish a National Higher Education Commission
Policy Fragmentation and Ineffective Implementation	• Governance and Accountability • Streamline roles of NIE, NEC, and CDC • Evidence-based and inclusive policymaking
Urban-Rural Disparities	• Equity and Access • Technology Integration • Expand support for rural and marginalized communities
Exam-Centric System and Tuition Dependency	• Eliminate human resource waste at A/L and O/L levels • Ensure truly free education • Curriculum Modernization
Mismatch with Labor Market Needs	• Demand-driven and globally aligned policies • Redesign university curricula • Emphasize vocational training, entrepreneurship, and STEM
Teacher Deployment and Training Gaps	• Teacher Empowerment • Enhance training and equitable deployment
Lack of Inclusivity and Equity	• Equity and Access • Inclusive policymaking • Strengthen support for disadvantaged groups

Historical Efforts to Address Sri Lanka’s Educational Challenges (1945–2025)

1. Expansion of Access (1945–1977)

• Goal: Broadening educational opportunities across the nation.
  • 1945: Central Colleges
    • Purpose: Establish quality education in rural areas.
  • 1957: Mother-Tongue Instruction
    • Purpose: Promote accessibility through Sinhala and Tamil languages.
  • 1972: District-Based University Admissions
    • Purpose: Ensure regional equity in higher education.

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2. Standardization and Institutional Development (1962–1991)

• Goal: Centralizing and formalizing educational structures.
  • 1962: Curriculum Development Centre (CDC)
    • Purpose: Centralize and standardize education.
  • 1985: National Institute of Education (NIE)
    • Purpose: Focus on curriculum design and teacher training.
  • 1991: National Education Commission (NEC)
    • Purpose: Guide policy and planning for the education sector.

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3. Technological and Linguistic Integration (2006–2016)

• Goal: Adapting to global needs and fostering national cohesion.
  • ICT Integration
    • Purpose: Incorporating technology into classrooms.
  • Trilingual Education (Sinhala, Tamil, English)
    • Purpose: Foster national unity and global competitiveness.

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4. Reform and Modernization (2020–2025)

• Goal: Future-proofing education and addressing persistent issues.
  • Decentralization of Higher Education Governance
    • Focus: Proposed reforms for management.
  • Emphasis on Vocational Training, STEM, & Digital Infrastructure
    • Focus: Modernizing curriculum and skills development.
  • Calls for Structural Reforms
    • Focus: Streamlining institutions like NIE, NEC, and CDC.

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Summary: These efforts reflect a long-standing commitment to improving equity, quality, and relevance in education.

Persistent Challenges Remain:

• Limited university access
• Urban-rural disparities
• Outdated curricula

Future Needs: Bold, inclusive, and data-driven reforms are continuously required.