Education driving force to achieve progress - British HC

by Lalin Fernandopulle

Education was the main priority, spelt out by Prime Minister Tony Blair when he was appointed to office in 1997. Education widely available for society is the key to develop the country. Civilised and cultured societies are formed by education. Devoid of education there will be total anarchy and countries will turn out to be battle-fields, said British High Commissioner Dominick Chilcott.

Addressing the opening of the Institute of Business Studies (IBS) last week at Dehiwela Chilcott said he was glad to know that education in Sri Lanka is a priority and the government is fully committed to provide qualitatively high education to all irrespective of caste and creed.

Chilcott said though education is valued with esteem in Sri Lanka yet the demand for higher education continues to grow. The children from backward areas of the country especially the rural sector do not have equal access. They are deprived of proper schools, teachers and facilities. Thus chances for entering universities and proceeding for higher studies is extremely cumbersome for them.

It is no point considering something a value unless it is cherished by all. In like manner education will remain a value and not a means to achieve development. Education should broaden one's horizons and value life instead of scuttling the progress of others. Today what is obvious in the world is people getting the wrong end of education and using it to further their selfish aspirations, he said.

Education is the driving force of a country to achieve progress and prosperity and its citizens to lead a qualitatively higher standard of living. Poverty and corruption is a result of illiteracy and ignorance. Societies that emphasise education and governments that fully endorse it have reached the climax of success in all spheres of life, he said.

The IBS affiliated to the Holborn College of UK was launched in 2001 and the campus in Dehiwela will be the centre for coordination of certificate and degree courses.

The institute will obtain approval from the University of London to conduct local Degree courses on Business studies and Law. IBS will offer educational consultancy services to students in obtaining qualifications to study in the UK, Marketing Executive Makshoos Ahamed said.