Expanding education opportunities

The move by the Education Ministry to eliminate disparities in the country's schools system is a welcome move indeed. Today parents hanker after so-called prestigious schools in the cities sometimes going to the extent of resorting to even devious and fraudulent methods to achieve their objective. This can be excused for it is the aim of all parents to do the best for their children's future. But it has also created a chasm among the young in terms of prestige and also given rise to discrimination in many fields and sectors.

The concept of 'popular schools' has not only created a mad scramble among parents to get their children admitted to such schools but also spawned an elitist mindset in children from school going age. Not only that, this differentiation has also led to discrimination in the social sphere especially when it comes to employment prospects. Attending a posh Colombo school is a sure guarantee for a top job in the private sector while an applicant who has attended a little known school though with better qualifications has little or no prospects when it comes to access to employment. It is this discrimination that gives rise to youth frustration leading to rebellion and uprisings.

Therefore the plan by Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena to create 1,000 well-equipped secondary schools to be on par with the best is to be commended. As opined by the Minister the inequitable distribution of facilities among the school network in the country had resulted in the creation of the concept of popular schools. Announcing the Year Five Scholarship popular school admission cut-off marks he said the Government's intention was to provide equal facilities and opportunities in education. He said Education authorities were currently preparing a road map to implement this program and at least three such schools will be established at Divisional Secretariat level.

Of course it would take some time before such schools will receive due acceptance among parents. This is because the present elitist schools have made such a great impression that it would be hard to convince the general public that any new alternative could be better. There is a built in notion among parents that nothing could eclipse these prestigious schools.

Also most parents prefer the prestige of sending their children to such schools more important than any academic credentials attached to these schools. This is a part of the present day rat race in keeping up with the Pereras next door. True, most of these schools are centuries old and boast of rich traditions that is part and parcel of their attraction. Most parents prefer the elitist background attached to these schools and it would be a difficult task to change this mindset in the short-term. What is more, parents prefer their children to study in city schools. That is why there is no scramble to admit children to even the 'branches' of some of the reputed Colombo schools established in the provinces.

Therefore there will have to be a sea change in the mindset of the public to accept the 'new elite' schools that are to be established in the Divisional Secretariat divisions. On the other hand the mere creation of a facade would not suffice to attract admissions to these schools. They should not only be equipped with the latest facilities but also have the necessary aura that would draw parents to admit their children to such schools. Needless to say they should be staffed with qualified teachers, provided playgrounds and other facilities for extra curricular activities that could match or even come close to the more elitist Colombo schools. These schools no doubt will benefit those segments who cannot afford the luxury of sending their off spring to the popular schools in the cities. And also with the passage of time hopefully they will receive due acceptance of the larger community.

Ideally the Minister would do well to turn his attention to some of the prevailing shortcomings in provincial schools that are without facilities and other basic requirements. There is already a severe shortage of teachers in the existing schools. There are also lack of school buildings limiting the intake if children. In addition primitive facilities exit in some of the schools in the provinces with school buildings on the verge of collapse and the lack of pipe-borne water and other basic amenities as often exposed on television news. Some of the schools in the North have to be rebuilt and provided the necessary facilities. These matters should receive the Minister's urgent attention before he ventures out to establish up market schools in the provinces. He should also turn his attention to the children who are without schooling such as those in IDP camps whose education was disrupted due to the war. They should be provided an opportunity to resume their education at the earliest possible time.

In addition there is also a need for a national education policy with continuity even after any regime change. Our Education curriculum needs revamping to meet the modern day demands. This should be made practical to benefit the student's future requirements. Establishing schools to match the more elite and popular schools in the cities while been a good concept would in itself be of little use if these challenges are not addressed and remedies effected.