The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today the entire nation is watching to see what kind of reforms the present Government intends to deliver to our children through the education reforms. I chair the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Capital. If one asks how much the public has been informed about these reforms, I can say at the very least that even our Sectoral Oversight Committee has not been briefed.

¶ 02 They speak of five pillars: curriculum reform; human resource development; infrastructure development and administrative reforms; assessment and evaluation; and public awareness and promotion. As the fifth pillar, they themselves list public awareness and promotion. Yet, the level of public awareness and promotion done is so little that even the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee of Parliament—the place where laws are made—has not been informed. If so, what is the level of public understanding? What confidence is being given to the people? These are essential issues for education reform.

¶ 03 Out of 225 Members, no one says reforms are unnecessary. Reforms must be implemented—but with a proper mechanism, with transparency, and by bringing together qualified experts.

¶ 04 I do not know whether the previous speaker truly understood the chain of events. He said critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration are all in these reforms. If so, why has your President posted on Facebook that given the serious defects in these reforms, they should be postponed and time taken? Either that Member does not know, or perhaps he was in a forum where these matters were not truly discussed.

¶ 05 When bringing education reform, you cannot treat it like amending the rules of a funeral aid society. Here is an answer to your pressing problem: do not attempt to casually dismiss the Grade 6 English module issue. If you try to do that, you will wrong the very people who voted for you. Those harmed are not just the children of SJB voters; they are the children of countless mothers and fathers who voted for this Government on the promise that the poor and unrepresented would finally have a voice. You are pushing those children onto a difficult path.

¶ 06 Who claims an inappropriate website name accidentally slipped into the Grade 6 English module? I say to the Government: this was inserted deliberately. The Leader of the Opposition asked how many checkpoints reviewed this. If so, what was the necessity to insert it deliberately? What is the purpose of enticing children to look at such sites? Adults can choose for themselves, but we in the Opposition oppose using innocent children for that. Among those children are the sons and daughters of the very parents who voted this Government in. Their aspiration is not to take the country in such a direction. We ask for a more intelligent discourse and reforms that raise parental hopes.

¶ 07 Why do our university graduates protest on the streets? Children from far-off villages enter universities. Even after stellar O/Level results, due to lack of labs and facilities, many cannot pursue science or mathematics at A/Level and choose arts instead. After graduating, there is a glut in arts degrees and a shortage of needed professionals. This is due to the failure to implement reforms. Reforms are needed.

¶ 08 But if, in the name of reform, you try to take our children’s minds down the wrong road, society will never forgive that sin. This cannot be dismissed with “it was just in a Grade 6 module.” This involves the education of 4.1 million children. If those who served as teachers and principals try to trivialize it, then they have no shame. I saw Hon. Najith on television forthrightly say it was a serious mistake. That is true. If you now try to “correct” this “mistake” by glossing over it, you will be committing a grave wrong against the people who gave you power.

¶ 09 This is not the time for politics. Some Ministers have said they want a live, courageous Opposition. People will create such an Opposition. Do not try to co-opt us. If the Opposition brings constructive proposals for our children, accept them. Now, with 864 [participants/complaints] coming forward to seek answers, a proper intervention by inviting the Government to the table could solve this.

¶ 10 Look at history: those who protested most fiercely against doing the right thing are often at the front now. For example, our current Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya was a member of the Sectoral Oversight Committee in the last Parliament. Back then, not even one of those reforms they now praise received support.