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SAITM dissected in Parliament; calls grow for solution
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SAITM students hold a protest at the Parliament roundabout while the issue was being debated in Parliament. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
An adjournment motion on the ongoing controversy regarding the Private Medical College (PMC) SAITM (South Asian Institute of Technology & Medicine), moved by the JVP, was held in Parliament on Thursday. The debate was opened by JVP leader Anura Dissanayake.
Moving the motion for the debate, Chief Government Whip and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, “Today we are debating an issue of the utmost importance. Undergraduates of all Medical Faculties in State universities are on strike for several weeks over this issue. The GMOA is conducting a series of strikes at Provincial level. Political parties, civil and religious organisations have protested against the SAITM. The situation has got worse, as some ministers are defending SAITM, which has come to be known as a Degree-selling shop. The Rajapaksa administration fathered this problem and the Maithri-Wickremesinghe administration is nurturing it. Both the President and the Prime Minister are sidestepping this problem. The Government has a responsibility to resolve this contentious issue. The system adopted to give recognition to SAITM as a Degree-awarding institute was flawed. There was no review of its performance, as was the criteria based on which the status was given.
Galle District MP Ramesh Pathirana Â
Thousands in this country have benefited from free education. It has opened doors to thousands of students from all parts of the country, particularly, to study Medicine and become doctors. By having PMCs, we will produce substandard doctors. In India, there are many doctors from PMCs with serious questions about their proficiency. Our country’s health indicators are good because of the quality of our Medical Faculties. We are not against PMCs that maintain high standards.
Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare S.B. Dissanayake Â
The JVP MPs said that SAITM did not have the approval of the BOI or the Health Ministry. I can prove that both the BOI and the Health Ministry have given the necessary approval, and I will hand over these documents to the JVP leader. I took the decision to make SAITM a Degree-awarding institute, after many deliberations. Eighteen separate teams inspected SAITM before recommending it be recognised a Degree-awarding institute. I also agree with the JVP MP that we must listen to the doctors but, not the bogus doctors association. There are many doctors’ children attending SAITM. As much as we safeguard free education, we must also safeguard the right to education for everyone. The main question raised about SAITM is its standard. Why aren’t the same questions raised about Rajarata or Eastern universities? These still do not have proper lecturers or infrastructure facilities. Why aren’t lecturers willing to go to these places to lecture? There are 23 lecturers at SAITM, but these lecturers will not go to Rajarata or Eastern universities. That is because, if they stay in Colombo, they can do private practice in the evenings. Why don’t you ask those who protest, to go to these universities and lecture or treat patients free of charge. There are 463,000 students studying in international schools in the country. We don’t take them into State universities. Parents of international school students are not rich people. They have no choice but send their children to these schools, as they can’t secure a place in State schools. How can these parents afford to send them abroad for Higher Education (HE), after spending so much for their school education?
Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera Â
It is clear that the SAITM has not obtained any approval to offer Medical Degrees to date. All this took place during previous government, which even gave Rs 600 million. This is not a crime committed by the UNP. So, the responsibility has to be borne by the previous regime. I call upon all parties to unite and resolve this problem through discussion, without acting in a partisan manner.
Megapolis and Western Province Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka Â
The private sector cannot be permitted to offer all courses of study in HE. For example, when producing atomic engineers, we need the use of atomic energy for study purposes. We cannot let the private sector have it. We cannot open every course of study to the private sector. Medical Science is about human life. Even the government is not permitted to set up Medical Faculties wherever it pleases. The number of doctors should not be determined by the Government Medical Officers’ Association. The SAITM should immediately stop enroling students for Medical education.
ITAK Jaffna MP S. Shivamohan Â
Only 16% of the students who qualify for HE are admitted to State universities. Those who qualify must think of the others and not disrupt their education. We are in a globalised world and have to embrace these changing systems. The SAITM was recognised in a August 2011 gazette notification. Unfortunately, education policies are trapped in politics. When you think of 16% of the students, you are ignoring the balance 84% of the students. I propose that the SAITM’s student intake be restricted to once a year, with the collaboration of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The SAITM students should also be given the opportunity to undergo clinical training in government hospitals.
HE Minister Lakshman Kiriella Â
No one has to teach the UNP about free education. C.W.W. Kannangara was a UNP stalwart. The UNP then went onto give free books as well as uniforms to schoolchildren. Today, we have given undergraduates all the facilities, and they have no problems. We have increased hostel facilities and also their bursaries. We ask these children not to be misled like what happened in 1971 and 1989/1990. The court has given a decision with regard to the SAITM. I ask the students to return to their studies. There is no meaning to debating this issue here. Bankrupt politicians have exploited innocent children to become the politicians’ pawns. We would end up in jail, if we do not implement the court order.