Changes in education system soon:

Universities to catch them young

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Higher Education Ministry is holding discussions with the Education Ministry to enact changes in the education system to get students to State universities at least one or two years earlier than at present, Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake said. He was addressing the media at the University Grants Commission. The Minister said the idea was mooted by the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of the Universities and he had already referred it to the Education Ministry for the consideration of experts in the education sector to seek their opinion for the change.

Minister Dissanayake said that most students enter the university at the age of 20 or 21 after sitting the A/L examination and if they enter the universities at 18 they could complete their degrees much earlier.

“Many graduates lose job opportunities due to their age as they complete their degree programs at times at the age of 26 or 27. Therefore, we must make changes in the education system to get them to universities at least two years earlier”, the Minister said.

The age limit for female students completing their degree programs is also another factor and the ministry should give serious thought to it, he said.

The Minister said the degree programs in State universities should also be flexible for students to enrol in these programs at a young age, after completing their O/Level examination.

State universities should also move with the current trends in the international arena and compete with private universities offering degree programs in Sri Lanka.