The Highs and Lows of Education in Sri Lanka

The highest-ranking university is the University of Peradeniya, which is ranked at number 401–500, followed closely by the University of Colombo.

By Douglas M King PhD-May 17, 2020

The article yesterday on Higher Education by Prof. Nalaka Jayakody is of great interest and exposes many of the problems facing higher education in Sri Lanka. The most unfortunate aspect was that it had received only 132 hits by 10 am Sunday, which implies it is of concern or interest to only a few. I fully agree with his analysis but would like to add some of my own knowledge and experience in this field. Why are so any foreign universities offering qualifications to students studying in Sri Lanka?

Obviously they have a financial interest as they receive some kind of payment or commission for every student studying or gaining a qualification. Since many universities in the UK and Australia are cashed strapped despite higher fees, this is an easy way to increase income. Are they really committed to quality higher education in Sri Lanka? In recent years there has been an increase of private higher education institutions as well as expansion in tuition classes. These have now become big business and can often afford to finance attractive buildings to lure students.  Several of these private institutions in Sri Lanka claim that the degrees are equal to those from the sponsoring country.

They also claim there are "visiting lecturers" from these universities. However, my own survey negates this claim. As Prof. Jayakody correctly states that some of these degree courses are shorter than required and maybe of dubious quality. I know of one "college" where a lecturer in psychology only was qualified to A level standard in that field. Many of the academic courses take place at weekends or evenings as the lecturers may have fulltime day teaching commitments.

A very serious problem that has not been mentioned is the standards of English language. Most students from other countries as well as local students would be required to have a suitable standard to listen to lectures, read and write extensively in English. However, standards of English language among many students are less than desirable so that the lectures and assignments are modified in keeping with these standards. This may also apply to some lecturers. My own experience in lecturing and reviewing and marking assignments indicates a serious shortfall of English language standards. I can claim somewhat of an expertise in Early Childhood Education and a knowledge of many of the courses offered in this field. Certificates and diplomas are available in as little as three months of weekend study and the proliferation of distance study is very concerning especially when there is an absence of online lectures or any internet or multi-media support. Prof Jayakody points out that there is a need for independent quality control in all higher education courses to ensure that students receive meaningful qualifications.

The many thousands of unemployed graduates will only increase as the serious shortage of labour is mainly in jobs not requiring academic qualifications. Many senior university lecturers have studied only in Sri Lanka universities up to Doctorate level and may or may not be at the highest level in their subject. Does a degree from a local public or private university equate with that awarded at a recognized ranking foreign institute? According to world ranking of universities by Webometrics only the Universities of Peradeniya and Colombo are ranked this year close to 2,000 with many others way up in the 5,000 – 20,000 world ranking. It may be argued as to how these rankings are made and are they valid. Sri Lanka has two universities in the overall Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The highest-ranking university is the University of Peradeniya, which is ranked at number 401–500, followed closely by the University of Colombo.

Education in Sri Lanka is big business and exploited by the obsession of many parents to ensure their children get a qualification and a secure and high paying job. This starts well before university and can begin at the pre-school sector which is 80% private. Parents may be willing to pay a monthly fee of over Rs: 10 – 15,000 to force feed their child with early academics. Beginning in Grade 1 many children attend regular tuition classes several times each week. The numerous government reports on all levels of education may mention deficiencies and although there are some improvements but until sufficient funding and better administrative organization is made the possibility to become an educational hub in Asia seems remote. Many residential independent high schools in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other English speaking countries enroll as many as 25%  from foreign countries. But it is the high quality of these schools, especially as they are 100% English medium that makes them so attractive to wealthy foreign parents.