The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, under the Committee Stage debate on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Heads of Expenditure, I speak today. We have long heard that education reforms are needed. Every Government focusing after victory turns to education reforms. I believe some reforms have occurred, but not where needed.

¶ 02 On education, pre-school education is critical. It is a very important component because many children at early ages are not receiving proper education. We must focus on pre-school. But I doubt whether sufficient attention is given. There are no standards; pre-schools operate as they wish. Many without knowledge or proper training in early childhood education have opened pre-schools across the country. Staff quality is also an issue; many are taken simply as assistants and treated as teachers, but the crucial foundational learning in pre-school suffers.

¶ 03 Primary education likewise faces issues. The Grade 5 Scholarship Exam becomes the focus of parents, children and tuition teachers. It offers some an opportunity to enter popular schools, but also places immense pressure on children at a very young age. We have heard the Government is focusing on changing the scholarship exam. It would be good if you state your clear position in this House.

¶ 04 In primary years, the scholarship focus creates pressure. My child’s school—a private (but not international) school in Colombo—does something I value: in the first three grades there are no exams, giving children space to be children and learn through other activities. I suggest a similar approach in government schools, because even in Grade 1 and 2 children are sent for tuition; they have no time for play. Our innocent parents also lack fair access to good schools; everything hinges on the scholarship exam, and pressure starts from Grade 1. I studied at Royal College, Colombo. Some friends who entered Royal via scholarship later failed the GCE O/L because beyond the scholarship, consistent educational support was lacking. Therefore, in primary years, we must shift from exam-centric to competence development.

¶ 05 For GCE O/L, we must look at the number of subjects. How can a child bear so many? The load also discourages attention to sports and extra-curricular activities. Those who excel in sports struggle with the number of subjects and passing Mathematics. We must address this.

¶ 06 There are many so-called international schools without standards, especially outside Colombo. I don’t say all are like that; many do a great job. But some are merely shops, with poor English standards. Parents want English and enroll children, but the quality is weak. The Ministry must regulate, especially pre-schools and private/international schools, acting as a watchdog with proper oversight.

¶ 07 On salary anomalies in education, there were campaigns. Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe led a major struggle. Some principals now find that a teacher’s pay can exceed a principal’s, which discourages becoming principals, causing a shortage. Please pay special attention to principal salaries.

¶ 08 There are also issues of political appointments of principals and education directors. The Leader of the Opposition noted political misuse. Please de-politicize the education system.

¶ 09 On teacher vacancies, there are large shortages. Please expedite recruitments to fill them, otherwise children cannot receive proper education.

¶ 10 On special needs, as the Hon. Member who spoke earlier stressed, children with special needs in schools and universities must receive proper facilities and trained teachers. Buildings and ramps alone are not enough; trained teachers who can truly handle and teach special needs children are necessary.

¶ 11 The present Minister, a former member of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations that fought for 6% for education, must also focus on university lecturers’ salaries. The FUTA President Dr. Anuruddha Karunaratne has stated that a doctor receives about Rs. 250,000 at entry, more than a university lecturer, and increases will worsen the disparity. We must retain lecturers in the country. Many left during recent economic difficulties. At least protect current numbers. The Hon. Prime Minister, who fought for this earlier, is now Minister—yet this remains unresolved according to FUTA.