Changes in the Education System in Sri Lanka Before and After the Impact of Corona virus (Covid 19)
Changes in the Education System in Sri Lanka Before and After the Impact of Corona virus
(Covid 19)
Changes in the Education System in Sri Lanka Before and After the Impact of Corona virus
(Covid 19)
1.Free Education Policy (1945)
Introduced
by C.W.W. Kannangara, this initiative aimed to provide free education to all,
ensuring educational opportunities across all communities.
2.Government Responsibility for Education (Post-1948)
Following
independence, education became a full responsibility of the government, leading
to efforts to improve the educational structure.
3.Impact of the Sinhala Only Act (1956)
The
declaration of Sinhala as the sole official language led to the neglect of the
Tamil language in education and affected linguistic equality in the education
system.
4.Nationalization of Schools (1972)
Private
schools were brought under government control, aiming to promote equality in
education.
5.1978- New Curriculum Reforms
Introduction
of New Curriculum Reforms, including technology, computer science, vocational
subjects, and practical-oriented subjects.
6.1985- Establishment of National Colleges of Education
Establishment
of National Colleges of Education.
7.1987-Devolution of educational authority to Provincial Councils through
the 13th Amendment, aiming to bring education closer to the people.
8.1997- Competency-Based Curriculum (CBT)
Introduction
of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBT) focused on improving student performance.
9.2000- Inclusive Education
Implementation
of Inclusive Education, promoting equality for students of all abilities.
10.2005- IT & Computer Education
Introduction
of IT & Computer Education as a subject, making computer science compulsory
in schools for the first time.
11.2008 - Introduction of Smart Classrooms and ICT-facilitated learning
12. 2010 Outcome-Based Education
The
Implementation of Outcome-Based Education for Grades 1-13.
13.2015: Curriculum reforms
Integrated soft skills, leadership, and
creativity.
14.2020- Online Learning
COVID-19 pandemic led to the adoption of
distance learning via platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, initiating online
learning and digital transformation for teachers and students.
15.2023- Hybrid Learning
The Ministry of Education began promoting
Hybrid Learning.
1.Free Education Policy (1945)
The
Free Education Policy in Sri Lanka and the C.W.W.Kannangara Report (also
known as Mustapha Education Reforms).
The
Free Education Policy, proposed in 1945 based on the Kannangara Report and
implemented in 1947, provides education free of charge from primary to
university level.
The
Kannangara Report introduced significant reforms in Sri Lankan education,
including the establishment of Central Schools for quality education across all
regions.
Key Features of the Policy
·
Merit-based selection.
·
Equal opportunities for all regardless of ethnicity.
·
Equal opportunities for religion,or social background.
·
The provision of essential resources like books, uniforms,
and transportation free of charge.
Objectives
·
Aims to provide equal educational opportunities for all.
·
Establish social justice and equality.
·
Eradicate poverty, promote social development.
·
Foster human resource development.
Features
·
Includes free education from age 5 to university
·
Free textbooks and uniforms
·
School meal programs
·
Educational resources and transportation facilities
·
Student scholarships and welfare assistance.
Benefits
·
Leads to increased enrollment rates,especially for rural
students
·
Promotes women's education
·
Enhances employment skills among youth.
·
Facilitates social change through improved quality of life.
Challenges
·
Faces issues such as disparities in educational quality
between urban and rural areas
·
Inadequate school infrastructure
·
Teacher shortages
·
Lack of technological facilities.
2.Impact of the Sinhala Only Act (1956)
Education
sector of Sri Lanka following the 1956
general election under S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's government.
Key
changes and their impacts include:
ü
Sinhala Only Act (1956)
This
act greatly increased the importance of the Sinhala language in education,
leading to difficulties for Tamil-speaking students and negative reactions from
the Tamil community, particularly regarding syllabi and government examinations
being conducted solely in Sinhala.
ü
Impact of Linguistic Division
The
linguistic divide led to decreased educational equality between Sinhala and
Tamil communities and negatively affected educational opportunities for Tamils.
ü
Changes in Traditional Curricula
New
subjects promoting national identity, such as traditional history, Buddhism,
and ethics, were increasingly incorporated into the curriculum.
ü
Development of Basic Education
Educational
facilities were improved, especially in rural areas.
3. Private and missionary schools were brought under government
control
A significant educational reform implemented in 1960.
Objective
To
promote equal educational opportunities for all students and prevent the deterioration
of education standards in private schools.
Key Features
ü Private and missionary
schools were brought under government control.
ü Education fees were
abolished
ü Teacher appointments
ü Curricula came under government regulation
Impact
This
led to increased access to education for more students and the establishment of
a standardized education system.
Consequences
While
largely positive, it also resulted in a decline in quality in some areas and a
reduction in the number of private educational institutions.
gnificant
changes in education in Sri Lanka during the 1960s, primarily focusing on the
nationalization of missionary schools.
Nationalization of Missionary Schools
A
key educational reform in the 1960s involved bringing missionary schools, run
by Catholic, Protestant, and other Christian organizations, under
government control, marking the nationalization of schools.
Key Missionary Organizations
ü Several prominent
missionary movements
ü American Ceylon Mission
(ACM)(were involved in establishing schools)
ü Wesleyan Methodist Mission
ü Anglican Church Missionary
Society (CMS)
ü Roman Catholic Mission
ü Salvation Army Mission
ü Baptist Mission.
Contributions of Missionaries
ü These organizations
established many high-quality schools, particularly in the Northern, Eastern,
and Central hill regions of Sri Lanka
ü Contributed significantly
to education, medicine, social services
ü Women's education.
Impact of Nationalization
Following
nationalization, these schools became government schools, the administrative
autonomy of missionary organizations was reduced, and religious-based teaching
was restricted. The establishment of "Central Colleges" in the
1950s also provided educational opportunities for rural students.
Central
Colleges were introduced in Sri Lanka in 1943 as part of C.W.W.
Kannangara's educational reforms.
Their
primary objectives were to provide quality education for all under the free
education policy, ensure quality education for both rural and urban students,
and promote equality in education.
Key features of these colleges
ü Quality teachers
ü Science laboratories
ü libraries
ü Sports facilities.
List of important Central Colleges in Sri Lanka.
ü Madulkelle
ü Nalavaiya- Vavuniya
ü Anuradhapura
ü Kurunegala.
ü Mannar
ü Monaragala
ü Panduwasnuwara
ü Jaffna
ü Trincomalee
ü Badulla
The
establishment of Central Colleges in Sri Lanka is a result of C.W.W.
Kannangara's educational reforms and they remain important institutions for
higher education today.
4. University Education
History and development of universities in Sri Lanka
The
history of university education in Sri Lanka began in
1.1921
·
The Ceylon University College (Saliyagamuwa University
College), which was the precursor to the University of Colombo and
affiliated with the University of London.
2. 1942
·
The University of Ceylon, the first comprehensive
university in Sri Lanka, was established in Peradeniya.
·
New universities, including those in Peradeniya, Kelaniya,
and Jaffna, were subsequently created.
·
The initial university structure was formed through the
efforts of C.W.W. Kannangara and Sir Ivor Jennings.
3.1972
A restructuring based on Sinhala and Tamil
languages led to the consolidation of universities under the name "University
of Sri Lanka," which created administrative issues.
4. 1978
Autonomous universities were re-established,
including the University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, University of
Jaffna, and Eastern University.
The document also lists 17 national universities operating under the Sri
Lankan government.
17
universities in Sri Lanka and provides information about their recognition and
status
There
are 17 Sri Lankan universities recognized and regulated by the University
Grants Commission.
These
17 universities were granted university status (University Charter) under the University
Act No. 16 of 1978.
All
listed universities are government universities in Sri Lanka.
A reference link is provided for more information about universities: https://www.mohe.gov.lk/index.php?Itemid=222&lang=en.
List of national universities in Sri Lanka operating under the government
1. University of Colombo
2. University of Peradeniya
3. University of Sri
Jayewardenepura
4. University of Kelaniya
5. University of Moratuwa
6. University of Jaffna
7. University of Ruhuna
8. Eastern University, Sri
Lanka
9. South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
10. Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
11. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
12.Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
13. Uva Wellassa University
14.University of Visual & Performing Arts
15.Open University of Sri Lanka
16. Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine
17. University of Vavuniya
5.The origin and development of National Colleges of Education (NCOE) in Sri Lanka
Establishment
NCOEs
were established in Sri Lanka in 1985 when Ranil Wickremesinghe
was the Minister of Education.
Anniversary
In
2015, to mark their 30th anniversary, the year was declared as the
National College of Education Year.
Objective
The
primary aim of these colleges is to provide high-quality training for teachers.
Oversight
The
National Institute of Education (NIE) is responsible for guiding and overseeing
all educational activities of the NCOE.
Lists the National Colleges of Education in Sri Lanka
1. Addalachchenai National
College of Education
2. Batticaloa National
College of Education
3. Dharga Town National
College of Education
4. Hapugala National College
of Education
5. Jaffna National College of
Education
6. Maharagama National
College of Education
7. Mahaweli National College
of Education
8. Nilwala National College
of Education
9. Pasdunrata National
College of Education
10. Peradeniya National College of Education
11.Pulathisipura National College of Education
12. Ruhunu National College of Education
13. Rathnapura National College of Education
14.Sariputta National College of Education
15.Siyane National College of Education
16.Sri Pada National College of Education
17. Uva National College of Education
18.Vavuniya National College of Education
19. Wayamba National College of Education
20. Kuliyapitiya National College of Education
The
role and features of National Colleges of Education in Sri Lanka, focusing on
their contribution to the education system and the introduction of technology
in education.
National
Colleges of Education are established across Sri Lanka to meet regional
educational needs and play a crucial role in providing quality education by
training teachers.
Notable
colleges include
1.Jaffna
(known for Tamil language education research)
2.Vavuniya (celebrating 18 years)
3. Mahaweli (linked to Sri Lanka's first Education Minister)
4. Peradeniya (associated with rural education programs).
Changes in the Education System in Sri Lanka Before and After the Impact of Corona virus
(Covid 19)
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