Higher Education In Sri Lankan Universities Today
By Rifai Naleemi -December 21, 2013 |
Dr. Rifai Naleemi
I happened to read two articles, written about Sri Lankan universities, in Colombo Telegraph, recently. One was written by Darshani Wimalasuriayaand other by Hema Senanayake. Both articles were written objectively, with good intentions of evaluating and gauging, the progress and development of our universities, in Sri Lanka.
I believe this is a timely topic to discuss, in the best interest of future generations of Sri Lankans. In this regard, Sri Lankan academics, living abroad, who may have an interest in higher education in Sri Lanka, should contribute their views to this debate, and share their thoughts on this subject.
We are all, morally and ethically obliged, to support our higher education system in Sri Lanka. As Sri Lankans, we owe it to our nation. We should not shy away from this subject, but should, objectively discuss the status of our universities, in Sri Lanka. We should do this, devoid of any political bias. Objective self-criticism is not a bad thing, at all.
Today, observing, monitoring, and evaluating the progress of any higher education institute, is an integral part of a modern higher education system. Western universities have developed some distinctive methods, and techniques to gauge the progress of learning, and teaching in higher education institutes. Teachers are accountable and responsible, to the intellectual development and progress, of each and every student in the class.
Heads of department have rigorous methods, to evaluate the teaching and learning process. Lecturers are required to give progress reports, for each and every student in the class, annually. At times, progress reports are written, each and every term. Students are requested, to comment on the quality of teaching, and they have the right to remark, about the quality of teaching in the universities. Students have the right, to make any complaints, if the teaching standards of lecturers, are not good enough.
Universities, in the western countries, may sack lecturers, if they do not perform well, in their teaching and research activities. Nonetheless, we in Sri Lanka do not have, such rigorous mechanisms, to observe, monitor and evaluate the progress of learning, and teaching in our universities.
