Youth in Sri Lanka need a chance
Zaynab Zubair-9 Sep, 2012
Photo courtesy Beyond Borders
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The Sri Lankan government shut down state universities on the 23rd of August in a bid to prevent an “Academic Spring”, rising amidst calls for 6% of GDP to be spent on Education. Other countries in the region spend between 3-6% of GDP on education. Academics have been on strike, exam papers remain unmarked and student’s have no indication of the trajectory of this stalemate; effectively leaving them in limbo.
For Sri-Lanka this is not good news, because in the past we have seen both the ignition of the ethnic conflict and the JVP insurrections stemming from Universities. It is therefore a hotbed; but for what? These students are either being fed with crazy ideals, of terrorism or nationalism or as in the present case, their right to a competitive education and opportunity. Since 2005, Government spending on Education has been reduced from 2.9% of GDP to 1.9%, whilst in the meantime Sri-lanka has secured infrastructure development projects that are providing below marginal returns and are only increasing foreign debt servicing. Reading the Mahinda Chintanawhich is the current Government’s roadmap to development, we can see that the focus for Sri-lanka’s development efforts are placed on manufacturing, harbours, electricity, and villages. Their successes are all debatable to varying degrees. The document however has completely glossed over and disregarded our greatest national asset even after a 30 year civil conflict; YOUTH. Continue reading »
