We are in the midst of an existentially threatening economic crisis. With an ever-increasing
debt burden and low economic prospects, we continue to grapple with uncertain economic
futures and related social and political distresses. As university teachers, we are concerned
about the multiplicity of recent proposals seeking reforms in education that threaten to bring
about a sea change in the way education is conceived of in this country: as a social good.
We note with outrage that these reform efforts have been coupled with deliberate measures to
weaken and discredit state universities. While the budgetary allocations for state universities
have been slashed, the government has violently suppressed any form of protest. Images of
protesting students putatively wasting tax payers’ money are in wide circulation in the media.
High-ranking politicians repeatedly allege that state universities are producing ‘unemployable
graduates’ overlooking the fact that few employment opportunities exist for them. These
narratives have convinced sections of the public that the reforms are not only necessary but the
only course of action available, despite conclusive proof that similar reforms in other countries,
such as the US and UK, have adversely impacted higher education.
The latest proposal is the National Education Policy Framework (NEPF), a cabinet paper that will
soon be tabled in parliament addressing reforms in Early Childhood Education, General
Education (i.e., primary and secondary schooling) and Tertiary Education. NEPF has not gone
through any kind of consultative process, except for an open call for comments to be
submitted. The NEPF’s proposals impinge on the two major education sectors: general
education (i.e., primary and secondary schooling) and tertiary education, in ways that threaten
the very foundations of the Free Education policy that the people of this country hold so dear.
While the proposed reforms to school education are also far reaching, this statement highlights
some of the changes proposed in tertiary education.
Structure and governance
A new structure called the National Higher Education Commission (NHEC) is to replace the
University Grants Commission (UGC). NHEC will bring both state universities and non-state higher education institutes/degree-awarding institutes under a single authority in which the
private sector will have a strong presence. There is no evidence in the NEPF of a commitment to
expand state support for public education. It clearly specifies however mechanisms to subsidize
the private sector, accelerating the diversion of already scarce public resources to for-profit
private tertiary education. Indeed, the main thrust of the policy framework appears to be to
expand the role of the private sector in higher education by facilitating “participation of non-
state partners, including public-private partnerships” (p.28).
Funding of tertiary education
While the government bemoans the low numbers accessing tertiary education (NEPF
misleadingly states that only 8.9% gain admission to the universities today), government
expenditure on education, as of 2022 World Bank figures, is 1.2% of GDP—the second lowest in
the world. The government does not anticipate increasing investment in education except by
“the redeployment of existing resources, leveraging of additional resources through
partnerships with non-state entities, and private contributions” (p.4).
The NEPF proposes a complete overhaul of the way universities are funded. Financing of state
universities will be through three channels: government funding via grants, student
contributions via out-of-pocket payments and loans, and self-generated funds of the university.
Further, funding of programmes will be based on student enrollment, not as assured line-item
based funding in the annual national budget. Universities, both private and public, will be
expected to compete for funds and survival.
Access to education
Combined with general education, public tertiary education has historically helped reduce
disparities and allowed some to escape poverty in Sri Lanka. Many of the middle class have
benefitted from such access. District quotas for some academic programmes and a recognition
of the differences in the social circumstances students bring with them to universities have
made university education more accessible to students irrespective of gender, class, caste,
region, and other signifiers of power and privilege. Through these mechanisms, universities have become integral to the country’s attempt to advance social justice. Furthermore,
universities have sustained free health by providing low-cost health professional education.
The new governance structure will allow universities to create their own admission policies and,
as they must compete for funds, will likely mean that degrees in fashion at a particular
moment, will be key in determining the programmes offered. The types of desired students will
also change as universities compete to capture students from urban and upper-middle-class
social and educations backgrounds who may already have an advantage in the job market. This
problem will be accentuated by plans to attract more “foreign students” for whom the NHEC
will streamline visa processes and facilitate employment in Sri Lanka after graduation (p.26).
Other than for students with special needs, the NEPF does not outline any mechanisms to
address social inequalities. When funding for education is made the responsibility of students,
government contributions will further diminish over time. Ultimately, the astronomical costs
associated with university education will mean that the wealthy will have greater access. These
conditions will deepen already existing social cleavages.
The consequences of the changes in the policy on tertiary education will be huge. Indeed, free
university education as we know it will cease to exist. The lack of an equitable system of
education can only further impoverish the masses by denying one of the few avenues for social
mobility available to them today. NEPF may not affect upper-middle-class people and urbanites
who may have other opportunities for education. Those who wish for social cohesion in the
country must understand that phasing out free university education will usher in a new era of
tremendous instability.
We must oppose NEPF in no uncertain terms, and make a call for a wide ranging consultative
mechanism before any reforms in education are proposed or undertaken.
SIGNED BY
- A. K. David, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- A. M. Navaratna Bandara, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ahilan Kadirgamar, Univ. of Jaffna
- Anurudda Karunarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Anuruddha Pradeep Karnasuriya, Univ. of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Anushka Kahandagama, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Arjuna Parakrama, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Aruni Samarakoon, Univ. of Ruhuna
- Athulasiri Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Asha L. Abeyasekera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Avanka Fernando, Univ. of Colombo
- Ayomi I. Irugalbandara, Open University of Sri Lanka
- B. D. R. Prasantha, Univ. of Peradeniya
- B. M. H. S. K. Banneheka, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Barana Jayawardana, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Bhathiya Rathnayake, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Chamathka Devasirie Kariyawasam, Univ. of Colombo
- Camena Guneratne, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Chamika A. Silva, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Chammika Mallawaarachchi, Univ. of Visual and Performing Arts
- Charudaththe B. Illangasinghe, Univ. of Visual & Performing Arts
- Chathurika Munasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Chinthaka Chandrakumara, Univ. of Colombo
- Chrishantha Abeysena, Univ of Kelaniya
- Crystal Baines, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Dayapala Thiranagama, formerly Univ. of Kelaniya
- Dewmini Amunugama, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Dhamma Dissanayake, Univ.of Colombo
- Dhanuka Bandara, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Dilrukshi Abeysinghe, Univ.of Colombo
- Dilmi Tharaka, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Dimagi Pitawala, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- Dinuka Wijetunga, Univ.of Colombo
- Erandika de Silva, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
- A. Janarth, Eastern University, Sri Lanka
- F. M. Nawastheen, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Farzana Haniffa, Univ. of Colombo
- Fazeeha Azmi, Univ. of Peradeniya
- G. D. U. P. K. Gamage, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Gameela Samarasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
- Gananath Obeyesekere, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ganganee Chandima Samaraweera, Univ. of Ruhuna
- Gayani Nawarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Gayatri Wijekoon, Univ. of Colombo.
- Geethika Dharmasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
- Gihan de Chickera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- H. Sriyananda, Emeritus Professor, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Harshana Rambukwella, formerly Open University of Sri Lanka
- Hasini Lecamwasam, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Hasintha Wijesekara, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
- Hasitha Pathirana, Univ. of Kelaniya
- Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
- Ishafa Illiyas, Univ. of Peradeniya
- J. Prince Jeyadevan, Univ. of Jaffna
- Jayadeva Uyangoda, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo.
- Jennifer Edama, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Jinasena Hewage, formerly Univ. of Ruhuna
- K. K. G. Randula, Univ. of Colombo
- K. M. S. Wimalasiri, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Kalpa Rajapaksha, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Kamal Wasala, Univ. of Moratuwa
- Kamani Sylva, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Kanchuka Dharmasiri, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Kasun Gajasinghe, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Univ. of Colombo
- Kaushalya Perera, Univ. of Colombo
- Kethakie Nagahawatte, Univ. of Colombo
- Krishantha Fedricks, Univ. of Colombo
- Krishmi Apsara, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Kumudu Kusum Kumara, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Lahiruka Madhuwanthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Liyanage Amarakeerthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
- M. A. Nuhman, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- M. M. Alikhan, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Madhara Karunarathne, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Madhubhashini Disanayaka Ratnayake, Univ. of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Maduranga Kalugampitiya, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Madushani Randeniya, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Mahendran Thiruvarangan, Univ. of Jaffna
- Mahim Mendis, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Manoj Alawathukotuwa, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ven. Muthukeliyawe Indarathana, Univ. of Peradeniya
- N. Gafoordeen, Univ.of Colombo
- Nadeesh de Silva, Open University. of Sri Lanka
- Neavis Morais, Open University. of Sri Lanka.
- N. G. A. Karunathilaka, Univ. of Kelaniya
- Nicola Perera, Univ. of Colombo
- Nira Wickramasinghe, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Univ. of Colombo
- Nishani Jayaweera, Univ. of Peradeniya
- P. Iyngaran, Univ. of Jaffna
- Paba Suraweera, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Pamuditha Herath, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- Pavithra Ekanayake, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Pavithra Jayawardena, Univ. of Colombo
- Prabhath Jayasinghe, Univ. of Colombo
- Pradeep Peiris, Univ. of Colombo
- Priyantha Fonseka, Univ. of Peradeniya
- R. T. Gamalath, Univ. of Peradeniya
- R. Angammana, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Rajan Hoole, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
- Rajitha Ranasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ramanie Jayatilaka, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Ramesh Ramasamy, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ramila Usoof, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ramya Kumar, Univ. of Jaffna
- Ranjini Obeyesekere, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- Rohan Laksiri, Univ. of Ruhuna
- Ruhanie Perera, Univ. of Colombo
- Rumala Morel, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Rupika Rajakaruna, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ruth Surenthiraraj, Univ. of Colombo
- S. Sivasegaram, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- S. Arivalzahan, Univ. of Jaffna
- Sachini Marasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Sahani Situbandara, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Samal Vimukthi Hemachandra, Univ. of Colombo
- Saman Dharmakeerthi, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Saman Pushpakumara, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Samudrika Sylva, Univ. of Colombo
- Sandaruwan Subasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Sarala Emmanuel, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Sarath Witharana, Univ. of Kelaniya
- Sasanka Perera, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Sasinindu Patabendige, formerly Univ. of Jaffna
- Saumya Liyanage, Univ. of Visual and Performing Arts
- Savitri Goonsekere, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo
- Savitri Kumar, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Seetha Bandara, Univ. of Kelaniya
- Selvaraj Vishvika, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Shalini Wijerathna, Univ of Peradeniya
- Shamala Kumar, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Shanil Wijesinha, Univ. of Colombo
- Shashikala Assella, Univ. of Kelaniya
- Shirley L. Wijesinghe, Univ. of Kelaniya
- Shyamani Hettiarachchi, Univ. of Kelaniya
- Siri Hettige, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Colombo
- Sirima Gajameragedara, formerly Rajarata Univ. of Sri Lanka
- Sithumini Rathnamalala, Univ. of Moratuwa
- Sivamohan Sumathy, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Sudesh Mantillake, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Supoorna Kulatunga, Univ. of Peradeniya
- T. Sanathanan, Univ. of Jaffna
- Tasneem Hamead, Univ. of Colombo
- Thiru Kandiah, formerly Univ. of Peradeniya
- Udari Abeyasinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Ven. Uduhawara Ananada, Univ. of Colombo
- Unnathi Samaraweera, Univ. of Colombo
- Upul Abeyrathne, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Uwin Ariyarathna, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Varuni Ganepola, formerly Univ. of Colombo
- Vasanthi Thevanesam, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Vihanga Perera, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Vijaya Kumar, Emeritus Professor, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Visakesa Chandrasekaram, Univ. of Colombo
- Vivimarie Vanderpoorten, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Warshi S. Dandeniya, Univ. of Peradeniya
- W. D. N. S. M. Tennakoon, Wayamba Univ. of Sri Lanka
- Wijith Rohan Fernando, Univ. of Kelaniya.
- W. M. M. P. Hulugalla, Univ. of Peradeniya
- W. M. T. P. Ariyaratne, Univ. of Peradeniya
- W. T. L. S. Fernando, Sabaragamuwa Univ. of Sri Lanka
- Yasas Kulasekara, Univ. of Peradeniya
- Yushani Alahakoon, Univ.of Peradeniya