News
Agri, bio-sciences faculties ignored by students without job prospects
There are no jobs in Sri Lanka for agriculture, veterinary, and biological science graduates and few are seeking higher education in these streams, putting relevant faculties of 21 universities in peril.
In the past five years, admissions to these streams have fallen, a panel has found.
In 2013-2014, students who registered for these programs numbered 1,798 and in 2014 -2015 the number fell to 1,455. But, last year (2016-2017) the number increased to 2,228, university data shows.
At a meeting at the Higher Education Ministry, concerns were expressed at the situation.
The meeting involved Minister Lakshman Kiriella, officials of the Education Ministry, the University Grants Commission, personnel in the agriculture and science sector, university lecturers, and members of the JVP.
The lack of interest in applying for degree programmes in biological sciences, physical sciences, agriculture, and veterinary streams could lead to faculties being shut down, JVP Member of Parliament, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, said.
He said that despite the universities doing the usual five rounds to recruit to these faculties there has been a decline in students registering.
University Teachers for Social Equity, Co-ordinator, Anura Karunatilake, said that the problem persists because of the failure of the UGC to adopt proper recruiting methods.
He said the UGC has been “inefficient’’ in recruiting students and the system lacks ways to encourage students.
Karunatilake a lecturer at the Kelaniya University said that UGC spends around Rs.50,000 annually for each student. And declining numbers of students may mean the faculties will not be financially viable.
The UGC is responsible for recruiting students, he said.
Dr Jayatissa said studies show there was a steady decline in the number students applying because of the delays in starting academic activities.
The problem for the science and agriculture stream, he said, starts from schools where qualified teachers are scarce.
In addition, many students have left the country to join foreign universities due to the delay in the recruitment process in local universities while others have opted to join the work force. The rest, he said, were preparing to re-sit the Advanced Level exams.
Also the lack of job opportunities for graduates in the agriculture and science fields is worsening the problem.
Recommendations have been made urging the UGC to be more efficient in recruiting greater numbers of students on merit basis.
At present 40 per cent are admitted on merit, 55 per cent on district basis and 5 per cent from difficult areas.
To circumvent the problem of the lack of teachers, it has been suggested to increase the age limit of science and agriculture teachers in schools from 35 years to 40 years.
For the long-term, the panel has proposed a special course in science subjects in the universities for advanced level qualified students and train them to teach agriculture and science in schools.
At present only the National College of Education trains teachers and it does not train advanced level teachers to teach science and agriculture in schools. The panel will meet again in May.