The Big Deal – an education for every child according to their talents
The unmistakable fact is that skills are in short supply in Sri Lanka.The need for Vocational Guidance and Counselling to help youth of today for seeking opportunities of employment tomorrow needs to be started today.
by Victor Cherubim-
( March 10, 2017, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is no secret that educational facilities for the needs of a changing society in Britain, have lagged behind over decades. The Chinese and the Indians have mastered technical education and seem to be light years away. It is no longer either Skills training or Higher education? In both countries both avenues are growing, changing and developing. Revitalising science and technology has played a significant part in economic growth, scientific progress and social development in China and India. Insecurity of work and decreasing productivity is prevalent in Brexit Britain.
Free Schools to create opportunity
The Chancellor, Philip Hammond has announced in today’s deadpan Budget additional funding for free schools and indirectly for technical training for students to be work ready after the age of 16.He has said: “Investing in education and skills is the single most important thing that we can do to equip our children for the future”.
The new mantra in Theresa May’s way is “opportunity for all.” Both education and skills training, £500 million for training young people is the biggest shake up in education for those over 16 years. Infrastructure funding of £216 million to meet, rebuild and refurbish existing schools plus £320 million for 140 new free schools. This infrastructure funding is additional to the £215 million hand out to Councils for adaptation for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Free Schools funding was the pledge given by the Conservative Party (David Cameron) during the general election in 2015 to open 500 new free schools before the end of Parliament in May 2020. 124 Free Schools have already opened with 243 in process.
Free Schools plan is a core part of ensuring all children receive an education that is suitable to them – “one that allows them to go as far as their talents can take them,” regardless of background and/or ability – “one that meets today’s Britain.
80,000 new free school places will translate to happy parents and perhaps Tory votes. This policy is similar to what Premier S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike did in Sri Lanka years ago to build up the vote bank? Though University education in Britain has been paid for by student loans or by hard pressed parents with the same free at point of use in Scotland, it seems there is a lack of skills for the world of work.
“T” Levels
When I was at school in Sri Lanka it was “A” Levels, for further studies. Soon we are told it will be “T” Levels. Are we going down the alphabet to set minimum standards of competence for work? “T” Levels is the name given to the overhaul of technical education. Between now and 2027, we are told, 15 new “pathways” will be developed in 15 sector areas where substantial technical training is required to progress into employment. Budget funding for technical education is part of free education.
UK Skills Plan – 15 Skills Sectors
The 15 Skills Sectors assigned in planning for 2027 are as follows:
- Agriculture, environment and animal care – preeminent for us in Sri Lanka
- Business and Administration
- Catering and Hospitality
- Childcare and education
- Construction
- Creative and Design
- Digital
- Engineering
- Hair and Beauty
- Health and Science
- Legal, Finance and Accounting
- Protective Services
- Sales, Marketing and Procurement
- Social Care
- Transport and logistics
The above Skills Plan is more than just about qualifications. It is achievable standards for employment. Employer led panels in each skill (something more than City & Guilds qualification) is envisaged to develop new standards that will decide technical routes and to draw an “Occupational Map” to show relationship between occupation in each route. The hope is that 11 of the 15 routes will be available as “Two Year College” courses or as Apprenticeships, the other 4 including Sales, Marketing, Social Care, Transport & Logistics, will be available via Apprenticeships.
Are we “work ready” in Sri Lanka?
Before we talk about “Economic Diplomacy” we need to think ahead of “Employment Opportunity”. Education and/or Technical Training is long term planning. Technical Institutes in Sri Lanka are not a novel idea. The first of its kind was established in the latter part of 1893 known as Government Technical School. It later became Ceylon Technical College in 1921.At present we have 38 Technical Colleges scattered throughout Sri Lanka, note worthy of them being at Katubedde. Sri Lanka’s State Minister Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister, Palitha Range Bandara may already be well aware of the UK Skills Plan with 15 Skills sections.
The unmistakable fact is that skills are in short supply in Sri Lanka.The need for Vocational Guidance and Counselling to help youth of today for seeking opportunities of employment tomorrow needs to be started today.
