Proposed Kotelawala National Defense University Bill Militarisation under the pretext of equal opportunities for higher education?

• The KDU is a professional educational institute. KDU isn’t the only defense university in the world.
• The KDU didn’t come under the direct purview of UGC but it is under the Ministry of Defense and is mostly meant for training military personnel
• University education has a particular meaning and it is not only about issuing certificates.”

Civil society groups, state university representatives, academics, leftist and socialist movements have rallied together to protest against the proposed Kotelawala National Defense University (KNDU) Bill. One of the main concerns is with regards to the militarisation of the higher education system. Various protests have been staged in all parts of the country while alliances such as the People’s Movement Against the Militarisation of Education have been formed to raise a stronger voice against the Bill which will be taken up for debate in Parliament on August 6. 

Criticisms and counter arguments 

In a letter addressed to President Rajapaksa dated July 19, 2021, The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka pointed out that the KNDU Bill ‘usurps the prerogative of the University Grants Commission (UGC), by vesting similar or even stronger powers to an entity outside the Ministry dedicated for education and higher education in the country.’ The letter further states that the IESL cannot endorse the involvement of the Ministry of Defense in fee-levying higher education through public funds, with questionable standards, under the pretext of a solution to the limited opportunities for university entrance. The letter also draws attention to a phrase highlighted in several places in the Bill which reads ‘persons who intend to serve in the Armed Forces and in the Public Service of Sri Lanka and also to other persons’ and states that the scope is going to encompass any and all civilians. The IESL claims that it is shocked to see such loose wording in a national legislation.

Responding to criticisms, Defense Secretary Major General Kamal Gunaratne reiterated that the purpose of this Bill is to provide an opportunity for students who score well in their A/Ls but are not eligible for university entrance. He made this remarks during a discussion organised by the Media Centre for National Development. “Thereby we want to uplift their skills and get them engaged in the country’s development agenda. The Bill will be reviewed by a committee of experts, will be sent to the Attorney General’s Department before being passed. During a recent Parliamentary debate I saw various factions claiming that the KDU is a military organisation and that anybody could get a degree from KDU. But these are misconceptions. The KDU is a professional educational institute. KDU isn’t the only defense university in the world. There are many other defense universities in other countries as well.”
He further said that this Bill will not have any impact on other state universities as it will only govern KDU. “On the other hand all academic activities will be governed by the Senate while the Board of Governors will take decisions relating to finances and infrastructure development to provide a holistic learning experience for students.”

The Bill should be withdrawn 

In response to protests by opposition factions, President Rajapaksa reiterated that the KNDU Bill will be incorporated in the University Grants Commission Act and that certain ‘obstacles’ in the UGC Act will be amended. “This doesn’t solve the issue as there is no such thing as a UGC Act,” opined National People’s Power MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. “Perhaps he was referring to the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978. But the references on obstacles are still unclear. If the KDU is taken under the UGC it should abide by the provisions in the Universities Act. What we propose is that the KNDU Bill should be withdrawn. If the objective of KDU is to train military officers and give them further training and education then that is alright. But if it is going to admit civilians then it cannot remain under the Ministry of Defense.” 

However officials at KDU are of the view that this Bill would only govern that particular university. But Dr. Amarasuriya claims that the KDU Bill sets in place a structure that gives them same powers as the UGC. When asked about amendments that need to be made to the Universities Act, she said that several recommendations were brought forward during a discussion in 2015. “These included strengthening democracy within the University system, depoliticizing appointments and establishing education freedom. All recommendations were drafted in collaboration with the Federation of University Teachers Association and the UGC but none of them saw light of day. The problem is that higher education will not be fixed by privatization or militarisation of the higher education system.” 

Successive govt.s and commercialization of Education 

Adding his comments on the matter, former FUTA President Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said that since mid 1980s, successive governments wanted to deviate from the practice of state-funded university education. “Every government supported the commercialisation of primary and tertiary education. The KDU didn’t come under the direct purview of UGC but it is under the Ministry of Defense and is mostly meant for training military personnel. Now they have expanded it to accommodate civilians as well. But if it is coming under the Universities Act it’s going to be more problematic. The Universities Act also provides the room for commercialisation of Universities.”
Responding to a query on reforms and amendments that need to be brought about in the Universities Act, Prof. Dewasiri questioned the purpose of university education. “We need to raise some fundamental questions such as what is the specific need for university education. University education has a particular meaning and it is not only about issuing certificates.”

He further said that what the government was doing is linked to its economic thinking but that he’s not in agreement with the economic thinking of the government.

Protests politically motivated 

“The KDU Bill is over 40 years old and it has been changed and amended from time to time,” opined Co-Cabinet Spokesperson and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. “While safeguarding free education, we also want to provide an opportunity for those who want to pursue their education elsewhere. Some parents mortgage their properties to send their children abroad for higher studies. But all types of degree programmes are now available in Sri Lanka. Nobody has an issue with that and for me, all these protests are politically motivated.”

“The Bill is open to the public and anybody can look at its clauses. Initially the establishment was a defense academy but later on we introduced a few faculties. When you look at the university entrance, it was only restricted to 30,000 students. This year we increased it to 40,000 admissions but we are planning to increase it up to 100,000. People who get top scores now want to enter KDU because there’s no ragging,  strikes and there’s discipline at this University. This is an issue for the leftist movements. When there’s indiscipline, a four- year degree will drag for eight years. It is in fact a curse.”

The Daily Mirror requested social media users to share their opinions about the proposed KDU Bill. Here’s what they had to say : 

Free education and paid education can co-exist 

“First of all there should be a proper regulatory mechanism and body to properly regulate all universities. Free Education and paid education can successfully co-exist without any discrimination to the students if regulated and managed properly. Unpaid education and free education should not be confused.” 

- Sunimal Weerasooriya

Negating privilege of free education 

“This will be the death sentence to negate the privilege of free education to the down trodden helpless children of this country who can’t afford to pay. In Sri Lanka today  we find enough private education Institute for the affluent. It is  purely business oriented which should not be a venture  of public sector.”

-Oliver Nandasiri Liyanage

Supporting private universities

“I would support for more private universities including medical to stop the drain of foreign exchange to other countries.” 

- Jayantha Abeywickrama

The need for proper private education 

“Same type of protests happened back in the days when Kothalawala Defence Academy (KDU) was established, even Professor Carlo Fonseka went against it, but today it operates very well. I have worked with a lot of KDU graduates, who do not have any sort of so called “militarization”. These protests are another instance of not looking at the details and also trying to keep the monopoly of government doctors. What these people who protest should do is, look into ways and apply pressure on the government to make these institutions more standardized and make them produce quality graduates rather than trying to close them down. Every developed country has a strong private education system, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand etc. A government cannot take the full responsibility of educating every youth after school. Proper private education will pave the path for an educated, knowledgeable workforce which is key for development of a country.” 

- Rehan Perera

Bill should be open to the public 

“Unless reading the Bill one cannot just say yes or no to their comments. Government must add and delete all possible amendments to the existing Bill and forward it to the public for their comments before it’s formerly approved by the Parliament.” 

- Ratnasiri Hadiranpella

Neo-Nazi regime in the making?

“Foundations are being laid for a neo-Nazi type regime. But remember even the Nazis crumbled.” 

- Lakshman Siriwardana

What about children in private schools?

“What about children who finish A/Ls in private schools? They are not accepted in local universities. Where will they go for higher studies? Then foreign curricula in private schools should be revoked. Otherwise these children will be stranded.” 

- Hemathilake Dissanayake

Draft a non-state University Act 

“If the Government plans to set up new non-state Universities, it is highly commendable as it is vital for the development of the country. It will also ensure that proper free education exists where one would be able to study what he/she desires, rather than restricting yourself for the limited vacancies in state universities or resorting to migrate. If Implementation of non-state universities, is the intention, they should come up with a non-state university Act rather than amending the KDU Act to incorporate non state universities.” 

- Isiwara Ratnayake

Wide range of higher 
studies options vital 

“It is vital that a wider range of higher studies options are available. The intake of state universities are limited and the opportunity being available in SriLanka to do this at proper entry standards will uplift the education standards, facilities, save forex and brain drain.” 

- Sonali De Silva

The discipline factor 

“It will instill discipline in our youth who at present are unemployable owing to lack of skills due to a grossly faulty system in our Arts and Commerce faculties. Sadly these students are mono lingual owing to the prevailing system in the State Universities.” 

- Brendan Sosa