December 14, 2016
It is with grave concern that we note that the Budget for 2017 does a great injustice to the ordinary people of this country, the vast majority of its citizenry. Education in general, in all forms, primary, secondary and tertiary, has been the cornerstone of our democracy. It has meant mobility for many, made social justice its focal point and made our struggles vibrant. Any attack on free education is an attack on democracy.
Our education policy is founded on the 1943 policy which states “education in a democratic society should be free at all stages. Talents and ability are not confined to any social class or group and any social system must provide for their emergence by the provision of equal educational opportunities…” (Government of Ceylon, 1943).” All subsequent educational initiatives must extend that fundamental tenet and be justified on those grounds. The present government has undermined this basic feature of our national policy in this budget.
The 2017 budget proposes a significant erosion of and a roll back of the gains of free education, namely the widespread distribution of education to the people. Specifically, the budget proposes both a scaled down allocation for education, at all levels, and worse, a channelling of funds toward private establishments, taking away what could be given to state schools and universities and bestowing them on private enterprises. The cherished ideals of free education have been abandoned as evident from the provisions of the budget.
The Finance minister says that this year’s budget for education is much reduced from last year’s allocation, as the government found that it could not spend the latter. If that is so, why do we still have the phenomenon of schools compelling parents to provide for their children through so many fees and expenses? It is almost two years since the current government took office and it has failed to achieve the many promises made as regards education. It has failed to: create an effective teacher training programme; develop a salary scale fitting a professional job category for teachers; address the problems of parents and students over mounting costs of education; address the problems in admitting students to good schools that allow them to fulfill their aspirations and; do away with an exam oriented educational system that robs children of their childhood. The government has failed to even develop a comprehensive policy on education. Yet, Ravi Karunanayake states:
The Ministry of Education has been able to utilize only around Rs. 38,850 million at the end of the 3rd quarter of 2016. We took careful stock of the situation and therefore allocated almost Rs. 90,000 million for 2017 (2017 Budget Speech, Ravi Karunanayake, 9th November, 2016).
Such a statement requires explanation and accountability. As explanation the Minister of Education responded with, “Often, the money is not passed by the Treasury when we want it. There are delays. That is one reason the utilisation rate is low” (Nov 20, 2016). Clearly there is need; the problem lies with the treasury, red tape and the lack of will on the part of the government.
Instead of keeping their promises to the people, the Minister of Finance proposes to bill students at the beginning of their university education so that they know how much the public is paying towards their education. Considering that the Minister feels he can brush aside unspent funds in such a cavalier fashion, this proposition is somewhat ironic. It also comes at a time when the government is proposing tax holidays for businesses. Who will foot the bill here?
