At a time when Sri Lanka has recorded a high success rate at the G.C.E O/Level, it will be prudent to guide those who seek further education opportunities.
Tertiary Education is post secondary school education including higher education of which a major component is University education along with Professional education, Tertiary education, Vocational training, Skills development etc.
While 195,112 students out of 310,641 who have sat for G.C.E. O/ Level have secured entry to the G.C.E. A/ Level, the admissions to the conventional university system which is usually the highest preference has the possibility of only about 22,000 places. This would mean that there are nearly 173,100 assuming they all obtain the minimum GCE A/L requirements, who would have to seek non-state conventional university higher education, such as Higher Diplomas, National Diplomas in the Higher Education system or other forms of Tertiary Education.
While some member associations of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA) have recognized degree equivalent professional courses, there are many other opportunities available in the tertiary education system for those with or without GCE O/L or GCE A/L qualifications respectively.
These tertiary education opportunities should be pursued through TVEC registered courses of study and these are available in the fields of study (as shown in the table), with most of them in many provinces in Sri Lanka.
Most of these courses of study are now being aligned to the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) which ranges from NVQ levels 1 to 7, where level 7 is at degree level for some selected fields at the University of Vocational Technology at Ratmalana.
Since there appears to be a lack of sufficient awareness among senior secondary school students, parents and school authorities of these TVEC registered Institutes and courses, further information should be sought for the pursuance of these courses on Tertiary and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) from the TVEC at the 3rd Floor, “ Nipunatha Piyasa” located at No 354/2 Elvitigala Mawatha or by calling 011-5849291. Furthermore, these details could be obtained from the website www.tvec.gov.lk and linking to the TVET Guide 2011.
FIELDS OF STUDY
Agriculture Plantation and Livestock Languages
Art Design and Media (Visual and Performing) Leather and Footwear
Automobile Repair and Maintenance Marine and Nautical Science
Aviation and Aeronautics Mechatronics Technology
Building and Construction Medical and Health Science
Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication Metal and Light Engineering
Finance Banking and Management Office Management
Fisheries and Aquaculture Personal and Community Development
Food Technology Printing and Packaging
Gem and Jewellery Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Hotel and Tourism Textile and Garments
Human Resourses Management Trainer Training
Information Communication and
Multimedia Technology Wood Related
(The writer is Chairman, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) |
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