Opposition Leader voices concern over university issues
View(s):Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa voiced concerns over the unprecedented crisis that the National University System of Sri Lanka is currently undergoing.
Professors and professionals affected by the Government’s tax policy have begun to leave the country. Owing to this, not only State universities but also private sector universities are facing a crisis.
It is also reported that private universities are working to cover losses incurred by the institution from students in view of the Government’s taxation system.
Administrative malpractices in universities ultimately lead to an adverse effect on the entire university system. Therefore, if the Government does not take action, it will pave the way to a point where the university system cannot be restored.
Mr Premadasa said he was concerned over the shortfall of university lecturers, the incompatibility of the ratio of students and university lecturers in keeping with international criteria, and how it decreases the international recognition of the degree certificate.
The Opposition Leader added that no first year (2020/2021 intake) student was given the Mahapola Scholarship by the Government. He said this would give rise to an injustice to over 15,000 low-income students in the face of the country’s economic crisis.
The Opposition Leader also challenged the Government on the progress of the measures taken by the Government regarding the malpractices by the University of Ruhuna Vice Chancellor. He stressed that since there are allegations of financial fraud and violation of administrative circulars among the charges against this Vice Chancellor, putting a formal investigation on hold caused an inequity.
Speaking of the irregularities in the South Eastern University, Mr Premadasa said its administrative and academic activities had completely collapsed.
He questioned whether the Government was awaiting the downfall of the entire higher education sector without taking urgent measures to resolve the issues in universities. - NA
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