By Lakna Paranamanna
 
More than 60,000 students are currently deprived of opportunities to pursue higher education annually due to the suspension of registrations for external degrees since last October, the National Centre of External Degree Teachers and Students (NCEDTS) today said.

NCEDTS Convener K.P. Somasiri told a media briefing that each year, of more than 100,000 A/L candidates, at least 60,000 students who did not obtain sufficient z-scores to enter universities apply for the external degree programme in the hope of pursuing higher studies.

 “Now not only are these students deprived of opportunities for higher education, but due to contradictory statements by the Higher Education Minister and the University Grants Commission, the stability of external degree programmes in universities countrywide are in an uncertain position,” he said.
 
According to Mr. Somasiri, circular 932 issued by the University Grants Commission on October 15, 2008 instructed all universities to cease the registration of students for external degree programmes. However in March, Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake had allegedly made a statement claiming that an exception would be made to the circular regulations this year and that the suspension on registrations would be lifted.
 
 “The Ruhunu University, following Minister Dissanayake’s statement advertised and initiated the registration programme for external degrees this year as well. However, since the circular was not officially annulled, the suspension still continues. Hence, the position of students who registered is now uncertain as doubts concerning the legality of the registration have been raised,” he added.
 
Mr. Somasiri also pointed out that the stability of the continuing external degree programs are also in danger due to the absence of lecturers as a result of the current trade union action of the university academics. “The external degree holders are not a burden to the country although the higher education minister claims so. He is simply making these claims to cover their weaknesses and inability to provide employment for graduates,” he said.