Dilrook Kannangara

Sri Lanka has fallen to extreme poverty following the economic collapse in the 2020s. Education can play a major role in overcoming poverty. Instead of teaching children in the free education system what politicians want them to learn, teach them what benefits them and the nation. A large number of Sri Lankans are gainfully employed in Japan and South Korea. Many more are dreaming of securing a job in Japan or South Korea.

The demand for Japanese and Korean language learning is extremely high. But unfortunately, the school system does not support this national demand. Students have to pay their own money, spend additional time after leaving school to learn these valuable languages. Japan and South Korea have ageing populations and their workforce is not sufficient to meet the demands of their economies. The number of vacancies will only increase with time.

In addition to Sinhala and English languages, Sinhala school students should be taught either Japanese or Korean or additional English instead of Tamil. They can learn Tamil language privately if they want to learn it. Equipped with Japanese, more English skills or Korean language will give young Sri Lankans an early start in life when they come out of the school system. It will take away unemployment, unrest and disruptions caused by young people.

Unlike middle eastern countries, Japan and South Korea have far more safeguards for expatriate workers. Their climatic conditions and culture are far more tolerable for Sri Lankans.

Education must evolve with time and should provide economic benefits to the people and the nation. Otherwise, it becomes a national burden and irrelevant.