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ation indisputably is, one of the most essential ingredients necessary for the advancement of a nation in all vital respects, encompassing social, economic, technological, political, environmental, cultural and other spheres. The education sector in this country, no doubt, is in a big mess today. There is turmoil in almost every institution of higher learning belonging to the public sector. Student unrest is growing as never before. Although so much is being bragged about the lofty ideals and public spirited intentions of elevating the standard of education to be on par with globally recognized norms, the ongoing pathetic status quo in state apparatus responsible for development, management and administration of this vital sector leaves much to be desired.
The mental stress of facing unwarranted competition prevalent in studies today starts at the very early stage of Grade five for school-goers. The resultant rat race deprives young ones who are still in their tender little ages, joy and mental freedom supposed to be abounding in childhood, which they are unfortunately destined to forgo for the sake of devoting time to the endless regimen of cramming. Adding insult to injury, starting from the Grade five scholarship examinations, more or less all the exams conducted by the authorities in the recent past have been tainted with many a scandal and repetitive bungles. Some of the blunders have been so farcical that they have led to public ridicule being heaped on those responsible from top to bottom for the dismal state of affairs. Whilst blunders had become frequent, allegations of corruption implicating officers of various ranks including school Principals, have been on the rise. There has been many an ugly spectacle revealing the dark side of some rascals donning responsible garbs in the education sector victimising innocent students to gratify their mean carnal desires. There also have been instances of leakages of examination question papers much to the chagrin of the hierarchy. One of the senior officials of the Bribery Commission once went public openly declaring the educational sector as the second most corrupt in this country.
It is a sad indictment of the functioning of a vital sector which is a “sine qua non” for the future of this nation. It is alleged that malpractices are rampant starting from the point of admission of a child to Grade 1, where pedagogy commences. It is the hapless children representing the majority who are at the receiving end of all muck-ups, and various schemes of deception, paying for others’ sins. Resultantly the majority who are fully dependent on the so-called free education provided by the Govt is subjected to untold hardships, whilst wealthy elites and those who are well connected always have their own ways of circumventing obstacles and hindrances to get what they desire.
Gone are the days when school Principals, Head Masters and Teachers were looked up to as people of wisdom, stature and integrity with impeccable moral characters, whose counsel was held in high esteem as an essential element of upbringing of young ones and moulding their characters from kindergarten days. Hallowed institutions of pedagogy that produced some of the greatest men of peerless accomplishment have been reduced to mass scale assembly lines churning out stereotypes. Emphasis is more on quantity rather than quality. From the apex level of policy making to the bottom rung of hierarchy, the system in operation does not appear to be geared towards fostering human capital, the top most important investment a country could make, with a view to producing worthwhile citizens enriched with skills, competencies, inventiveness, ethics, as well as virtues and value systems to make the future generation a truly prosperous one. One of the cardinal issues facing this sector is lack of competent and suitable personnel who could measure up to required standards and standing in terms of qualifications, competencies and moral calibre etc, to man important roles, as their conduct does not seem to demonstrate that they are worthy of the positions being held and they appreciate how vital education is, for the advancement of the nation. Perhaps Sri Lanka could claim the world record for having Directors of Education, who do not even possess the basic level of educational qualifications such as GCE A/L or even O/L. Doesn’t this speak volumes of the importance given to this vital sector by the echelons of power and decision makers.
"The time seems to have come therefore, to educate decision makers that, first and foremost, they must put their house in order, as a matter of top priority."
There is dismally less emphasis placed on coaching ethics, dogmas, standards, precepts and guidelines that would enrich and build human character & ethos, based on egalitarian tenets of human behaviour, which could serve as the beacon guiding people from school days to cultivate positive and productive habits in their lives espousing empathy, integrity, mutual respect, equality, equanimity etc., for the betterment of society, which attributes would once a child steps into society enable him or her to conduct his or her life as a responsible citizen. One of the glaring examples is the status quo in the body politic comprising law makers which is often subjected to harsh reproach and critique for breaking of laws for the most part. It was the other day, the doctors, viewed as part of the cream of society and held in high esteem for the divine magnanimity of their services and care for sick people, gave vent to bottled up anger violently exchanging blows and fisticuffs with members of their own fraternity, casting aspersions and verbal abuses at each other, enacting an ugly spectacle of commotion, as a set of unruly hooligans, forgetting all noble principles they stand for. Obviously their unruly conduct per-se was a far cry from the norms of behaviour expected of members of such a noble profession. Have they too stooped down to crass commercialism is a question that begs an answer. It is obvious that there is something seriously lacking in education although misbehaving elites have achieved high academic distinction in their own right.
By contrast, there is predominant focus on shaping up the whole system of education to produce people with varying standards of outmoded learning based on legacy curricula that are from time to time subjected to perfunctory revisions for public consumption, although some of the knowledge bases and skills acquired through years of continued toiling under this system do not measure up to what is called for by the modern global corporate environment booming by the day. Even within this system, it is the rich and elite who still get the better of, in facing up to the challenge of meeting the demands of the modern corporate sector by lavishly using their wherewithal to acquire qualifications and skills needed to ascend the ladder to be able to be gainfully employed. It has always been the case that haves get a better deal than the have-nots.
The prevailing monotonous process has directed and fashioned children in their numbers to seek learning based on their aspirations to fit in to pre-determined roles, sometimes promising only illusionary wellbeing, although in the end, what is left as an accomplished end result, comes at the expense of deteriorating human values.
Whether it is to the liking of authorities or otherwise, private tuition has become a “sine qua non” for children fighting tooth and nail to reach the pinnacle they dream of under the prevailing system of education. Tuition has thus become an effective means of lifeline support children nowadays could hardly think of doing without. So much for the quality of teaching imparted by the public schools system despite the proud pronouncements made from elevated podiums about the greatness about the so-called free education. Private tuition this way has become a thriving enterprise. Whilst parents’ dream of sending their children to leading schools for a variety of reasons, they also consider providing private tuition as one of the top priorities in the process of educating children. It is well known that many school teachers engage in providing private tuition, which obviously helps them make some additional bucks to pay for the soaring cost of living.
"The prevailing monotonous process has directed and fashioned children in their numbers to seek learning based on their aspirations to fit in to pre-determined roles, sometimes promising only illusionary wellbeing, although in the end, what is left as an accomplished end result, comes at the expense of deteriorating human values"
Authorities seem to relish every opportunity they could pounce upon to attack private tuition, as if tuition is the biggest problem faced by the education sector and stopping it therefore would lead to elevation of the standard of education. On and off, there have been instances of attempts being made to restrict this activity under various pretexts. It is akin to giving wrong treatment to an ailment without a proper diagnosis being made on the basis of firm evidence indicating where the problem lies. Little they have realised that no one has control over people still getting private tuition for their children individually at homes. Of course as it is often being the case, those who could afford still have the ability to get private tuition by paying extra for individual coaching, despite the so-called restriction in place, which would no doubt deprive hapless commoners’ children, who rely on extra classes etc., conducted by large tutories attended by the majority seeking vital last minute guidance and helpful tips.
"It is a sad indictment of the functioning of a vital sector which is a “sine qua non” for the future of this nation. It is alleged that malpractices are rampant starting from the point of admission of a child to Grade 1, where pedagogy commences. It is the hapless children representing the majority who are at the receiving end of all muck-ups, and various schemes of deception, paying for others’ sins."
So true to form the misguided missile of the hierarchy has once again hit a wrong target inflicting casualties on those who are at the receiving end of every such measure sparing the elites who could afford extra bucks. Of course the declared noble reason is nothing but sincere intension to prevent leakage of examination question papers, which they seem to think, could be achieved by stopping tuition, at a time it is most sought by the majority. If leakage of papers takes place, it has to be masterminded by those who have access to them. Obviously complicitous miscreants have to be part of the system. If prevention is needed, the system has to be overhauled to be rid of miscreants who are the root cause of this detriment. Not doing what is most needed whilst sweeping the dirt under the carpet will only ensure continuity of wrongdoing whilst the system continues to damage, decay and deteriorate beyond restitution.
The time seems to have come therefore, to educate decision makers that, first and foremost, they must put their house in order, as a matter of top priority.
