The impact of the ongoing economic crisis and poor governance, on state-run higher education systems are gradually unfolding as educationists and even higher education authorities come forward demanding solutions. The education sector was already a battered one, with poor funding and the challenges grew with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and state universities make up the basis of Sri Lanka’s future trajectory as the agents and institutions which mould our future generations.

As per the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman, Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, even though there should be 12,992 university professors, at present, only 6,548 professors are working in the State university system. A similar situation could be seen even in the case of non-academic staff. Speaking before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), he stressed that to deal with this crisis, at least 1,000 professors should be recruited. The COPE’s reply was that about 50% of the universities in this country should become research universities, and that small groups of students should not be allowed to bring down the entire university system.

It is imperative to understand that the mass exodus of university teachers of various positions is a growing issue, and is by far the main issue among the many issues faced by the State university system. This situation has two aspects. On the one hand, Sri Lanka has to keep existing university teachers in the country and in the university system. On the other hand, there is a need to recruit more university teachers to fulfil the vacancies that have been created by increased resignations and also to cater to the growing demand for higher education. The obvious first step to resolving both these issues is for the Government to allocate more funds for the higher education system and craft better education policies. This is important not only to pay university teachers more, but also to give them a sense of job security and development despite the economic crisis, introduce new or improved courses and to provide more facilities. To say Sri Lankan teachers and educators are some of the most poorly paid, would be an understatement.

However, to increase pay at this stage of bankruptcy and recovery, is easier said than done. Nevertheless, the question as to why has the Government not allocated more money for higher education while continuing to spend more on loss-making State enterprises, and on defence is one that has yet gone unanswered. This is the most important part of this issue, as it is more of a matter of priorities than a matter of resources. The economic crisis did not stop the Government from allocating money for the sectors which it deemed important. Even amidst the economic crisis, the Government still allocated more funds for the defence sector, while certain benefits given to MPs were raised. In this context, the Government must read the writing on the wall and urgently change its attitudes towards education and higher education.

These attitudinal changes should go beyond the State higher education system, because it is clear that the Government alone cannot fulfil higher educational requirements of the country, especially in the prevailing economy. Therefore, the Government should, in tandem with increasing support and funding for local universities and tertiary education institutions,  allow the expansion of privately-owned universities or other forms of degree-awarding institutions in the country, with a robust regulatory, quality control and transparent system to govern them. The state needs to take the private education plunge, despite mostly baseless opposition from various groups against such institutions. If there are issues concerning those institutions’ operations, competencies, or standards, the necessary steps should be taken to address them, and it is a matter that should be looked into on a case-by-case basis. Creating an unfavourable climate for such institutions merely because certain groups are against them or imposing blanket draconian regulations is not the solution. This is a time to get private education institutions’ support to revive and prevent further collapse of the higher education system, and the Government needs to take decisions based on facts.

It is not difficult for any authority to do what needs to be done, if they truly understood the gravity of the crisis that has befallen the State university system. We are talking about the country’s next generation who are expected to play a decisive role in resuscitating the economy. Unlike in other cases, any negative impact on them, including in the form of lack of university teachers, would have a considerable negative impact on the economy as well. This crisis will last longer, and will be more complex than what the country is experiencing at the moment.