Needed: An education policy with university admission for all

It is laudable that the government is intensifying efforts to develop the education system to a certain degree in line with global standards, especially in Information Technology. At the same time it is disheartening to note that only about 15% of the Advanced Level-qualified students can enter universities.

The Z-Score method used in the selection of the 15% (cream) could be acceptable but it should be underscored that denying 85% qualified students university admission cannot be attributed to the claim that the education system in the country is well administered competitively to international standards.

Today at a time when the government is trying to increase the inflow of foreign exchange, hundreds, if not thousands, of A/L-qualified students tend to enter foreign universities. As a result colossal amounts of foreign exchange are being siphoned out of the country.

Unlike in the past, most Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore and China have aggressively demonstrated their high standard of education, thereby drawing foreign students and strengthening their foreign exchange reserves. In contrast, Sri Lanka is losing considerable foreign exchange, when Sri Lankan students go for higher studies abroad, with no admission available in local universities.

It has become imperative that the government should take remedial measures to accommodate all A/L qualified students to universities. The authorities should adopt innovative measures by opening up the education sector, even with the introduction of private universities. Some would perceive this as controversial, but most of the pubic sector organizations in fields such as health, transport, petroleum and primary and secondary education, perform alongside the private sector and have considerably expanded for the betterment of the people.

By Mangalika Wijetunge, Mattegoda.