Concerned Uni teachers say no to Presidential Committee’s ‘sunrise institution’ to replace SAITM

By co-opting some of the demands made by critics of SAITM, the Government employs words like ‘abolish,’ ‘minimum standards’ and ‘non-profit’ to mislead the public into believing that what is proposed is different from the SAITM that existed in 2017. Instead of halting privatisation of medical education by abolishing SAITM once and for all – a move that had the support of academics, students, doctors, and other interest groups – the latest solution, that is the ‘sunrise institution,’ will be a further step towards dismantling ‘free’ higher education – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

We, the undersigned, are deeply disappointed by the latest proposals made by the Government to resolve the SAITM issue. In a statement released by the Department of Information on 4 January, the Government outlined plans to ‘abolish’ SAITM by setting up a ‘sunset institution’ to cater to current SAITM students and concurrently establish a ‘sunrise institution’ that is to enrol medical students beginning in 2019. 

While both new institutions are to be affiliates of the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), we are told that they will comply with the recently-legislated Minimum Standards on Medical Education and Training.

The ‘sunset institution’ is to conclude operations when the last batch of current SAITM students graduate. On the other hand, the ‘sunrise institution,’ as its name suggests, will be scaled up to pave the way for privatisation of medical education. 

According to the Government, any surplus revenue generated by the new ‘non-profit’ institution will not go to shareholders, but will instead be directed toward development, research and scholarships at the fee-levying medical college. The statement ends by pre-emptively suggesting that any opposition to the proposals will be driven by narrow political agendas rather than the best interests of Sri Lankans in this so-called win-win situation.

By co-opting some of the demands made by critics of SAITM, the Government employs words like ‘abolish,’ ‘minimum standards’ and ‘non-profit’ to mislead the public into believing that what is proposed is different from the SAITM that existed in 2017. Instead of halting privatisation of medical education by abolishing SAITM once and for all – a move that had the support of academics, students, doctors, and other interest groups – the latest solution, that is the ‘sunrise institution,’ will be a further step towards dismantling ‘free’ higher education. 

Moreover, establishing this fee-levying institution will be a clear violation of the agreement reached by Dr. Harsha de Silva and the students of State medical faculties together with their parents, who called off their boycott and fast, respectively, believing there would be an end to SAITM and private medical education.

The details of the MoU signed by the Government, SAITM and SLIIT remain undisclosed to the public. Along with SLIIT, the new fee-levying medical college will be recognised as a degree-awarding institution by the University Grants Commission. While the statement says little about the nature of the relationship between the Government and the new fee-levying medical college, in reality, the Government will create a legitimate means through which the State can use public resources to bolster private medical education. 

We, as a poor country, do not have students who can pay for higher education. Such a privatised system of higher education can only be sustained with State subsidies, student loans, and other ‘public-private partnerships.’ 

Although these initiatives have failed elsewhere, the Government supports such outdated policies, including the current set of proposals on SAITM, to appease private interests. The Government is also desperately looking to generate elusive foreign exchange by attracting international students. Should these narrow interests drive the development of our education system?

The creation of a new fee-levying medical degree awarding institution will allow students, who would otherwise not be able to pursue a degree in medicine in Sri Lanka, to do so by paying for this privilege. As with earlier statements by the Government, the crux of the problem that SAITM represents remains unaddressed. Specifically, the Government:

nFails to address concerns relating to privatising education; in fact, the proposed ‘solution’ legitimises privatisation as Government policy. 

nOverlooks the reality that the education system already privileges the wealthy; the proposals will allow those with means to obtain the much coveted medical degree with less qualifications than those who would enter State institutions. In other words, the latest proposal is not by any means a win-win ‘solution’ that will benefit all Sri Lankans.

nPromotes siphoning of public funds earmarked for education toward subsidising education for the wealthy. 

nDoes not address the many problems affecting the public education system at all levels. 

The problems in education and higher education that need urgent attention are many. These include, geographical and national/provincial disparities in schools, lack of opportunities for the poor to achieve their educational aspirations, lack of support for children and their parents experiencing social problems that may disrupt education (including the unacceptable number of children with disabilities who remain out of school), a curriculum that does not reflect the plurality of our communities, an underpaid and under supported (school) teaching cadre, undemocratic educational spaces, politicisation of education, and so many more.

We raise the need for a public commission that systematically explores the problems that people face with education. We do not refer to those problems (and solutions) articulated by the World Bank, the pundits or experts, but those identified by parents, students, teachers and ordinary people. We do not mean only those problems affecting privileged groups in Colombo and other urban areas, but also those experienced by people in the remotest regions, the urban poor, and others, problems articulated in Sinhala, in Tamil and also in sign language. It is by engaging people that our education system can be democratised. And it is by engaging people that we can protect ‘free education.’ 

‘Free education’ is the heart and soul of this country. It has allowed us to hope for a better future for our children, our families and our communities. It has allowed us to look to the future with less fear. Over the last few decades State educational institutions have been weakened by misguided politicians and ad hoc processes of policy making and budgeting undertaken with little or no public consultation. 

You, as a Government representing the people of this country, have the mandate to support and strengthen a public education system that is democratic and just. Yet, instead of strengthening ‘free education,’ you are the first Government to openly advocate privatisation as education policy. At this critical juncture, we ask that you reconsider and change course. Specifically, we ask that you:

1.Abandon ad hoc plans to establish the ‘sun rise institution’ that is to replace SAITM; 

2.Halt other initiatives that seek to privatise education and higher education; and

3.Set up a public commission on education to engage seriously with people’s demands and address the crisis of education in the country.

Signed by:

Prof. Chandane Abeyratne, University of Kelaniya

Dr. M. K. Abeyratne, University of Ruhuna

Dr. Chaminda Abeysinghe, University of Kelaniya

Prof. Liyanage Amarakeerthi, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Dayananda Ambalangoda, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Wijendra Bandara, Rajarata University

Dr. Ajith De Mel, University of Ruhuna

Dr. Nimal Ranjith Dewasiri, University of Colombo

Dr. Kanchuka Dharmasiri, University of Peradeniya

Supun Dissanayake, University of the Visual and Performing Arts

Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Primal Fernando, University of Peradeniya

Wijith Rohan Fernando, University of Kelaniya

Dr. Nilakshi Galahitiyawe, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Sujani Gamage, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Uditha Gunasekere, University of Kelaniya

Dr. Shyamani Hettiarachchi, University of Kelaniya

Prof. Jinasena Hewage, University of Ruhuna

Prof. Leslie Jayasekera, University of Ruhuna

Dr. K. M. G. Gehan Jayasuriya, University of Peradeniya

N. W. K. Jayathissa, University of Kelaniya

Priyabhani Jayatillake, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Barana Jayawardana, University of Peradeniya

Anupa Jayawardane, University of Kelaniya

Dr. Dhammika Jayawardene, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Nishani Jayaweera, University of Peradeniya

Niyanthini Kadirgamar, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Maduranga Kalugampitiya, University of Peradeniya

Dr. D. D. K. S. Karunanayake, University of Peradeniya

Dr. A. K. Karunarathna, University of Peradeniya

Prof. Indika Karunthilake, University of Colombo

N. G. A. Karunathilake, University of Kelaniya

Pathum Kodikara, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Rasika Kotakadeniya, University of Peradeniya

Prof. Emerit. Nimal Savitri Kumar, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Ramya Kumar, University of Jaffna

Dr. Shamala Kumar, University of Peradeniya

Prof. Emerit. Vijaya Kumar, University of Peradeniya

Prof. Samantha Kumara, University of Ruhuna

Dr. Prabha Manuratne, University of Kelaniya

Lal Medawattegedara, Open University of Sri Lanka

Deva Michael, University of Ruhuna

Kethakie Nagahawatte, University of Colombo

Dr. Upali Pannila, University of Ruhuna

Prof. Jayantha Pasdunkorale, University of Ruhuna

Nicola Perera, University of Colombo

Ramindu Perera, Open University of Sri Lanka

Anuruddha Pradeep, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. B. D. R. Prasantha, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Wimalasiri Punchihewa, University of Ruhuna

Neil Pushpakumara, University of Kelaniya

Prof. Dharma Rajapaksha, University of Ruhuna

Kalpa Rajapaksha, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Harshana Rambukwelle, Open University of Sri Lanka

Chinthaka Ranasinghe, University of Kelaniya

Asela Rangadeva, University of the Visual and Performing Arts

Prof. A. J. Ruhunuhewa, University of Ruhuna

Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Chinthaka Sanath, University of Ruhuna

Dr. Prajna Seneviratne, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. H. M. A. Sominanda, University of Peradeniya

Anura Srinath, University of the Visual and Performing Arts

Prof. Sivamohan Sumathy, University of Peradeniya

Esther Surenthiraraj, University of Colombo

Mahendran Thiruvarangan, University of Peradeniya

Nelum Uttamadasa, Open University of Sri Lanka

Ramya Vithanage, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Sarath Vitharane, University of Kelaniya

Thiyagaraja Waradas, University of Colombo

Pabodha Weththasingha, University of Peradeniya

Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka

Nalayini Francis Xavier, Open University of Sri Lanka

Gayani Yapa, Open University of Sri Lanka