Education reforms

There has to be a sense of urgency and a greater participation in the discussion regarding the imminent education reforms planned by the government. There are eminent educationists in this country and their participation and valuable contribution are awaited by everybody concerned about the state of education in the country. But unfortunately, not enough is happening in this context and the opportunity to ensure that something good will emerge and finally a lasting solution is found, may be lost. Now is the time for these stalwarts to voice their opinion.

- N. A. DE S. AMARATUNGA

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his address to the parliament, recently, brought to focus some very important facts about the state of the education system which, he said, his government would address. One is the unacceptable rate of school dropouts, which is about 20% for secondary education level. Obviously, the main cause for this sad state of affairs is the economy of the country. The poverty rate has risen from 11.3% in 2016 to 25% in 2025. Poor people have to choose between food and school. Though education is free there is indirect expenditure for items such as books, stationary, footwear, travelling, etc. not to mention tuition fees which people, nowadays, think is essential to pass examinations. Unless the rural economy, particularly of those below poverty line, is improved, a solution to the problem of school dropouts will not be forthcoming. And this may be an insurmountable problem, given the harsh realities of IMF initiated economic reforms, which require cutting down on government expenditure. Household income of these poor people cannot be expected to improve in the short term, it will take years of sustained economic development, focused on the rural economy. However, the IMF policies on third world poverty, do not appear to have addressed this problem satisfactorily anywhere in the world. Inequality has worsened in many countries due to these policies.