Govt., stakeholders to discuss proposed Higher Education Bill
View(s):The Government on Friday (23) agreed to invite for discussions, trade unions and professional organizations who have expressed serious concerns over the proposed Higher Education [HE (Quality Assurance & Accreditation)] Bill.
Responding to a question raised in Parliament by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Bimal Rathnayake, HE Minister Rauff Hakeem said he would schedule a round of meetings with trade unions and professional organizatiosn who oppose to the Bill.
Mr Rathnayake pointed out that the draft Bill has been strongly opposed by many in the HE sector, including Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA), Medical Faculty Teachers’ Federation and the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA). It has also been criticized by many University Vice-Chancellors and Student Unions,” he added. “As such, rather than present this draft Bill to Parliament for its first reading, I would urge you to conduct a transparent consultation process over it,” he told the Minister.
Mr Hakeem said he will invite the organizations and trade unions for discussions in order to “clear up any misconceptions” regarding the proposed Bill.
The draft Bill was gazetted in June. FUTA President Prof. Rohan Fernando told the Sunday Times that the Government had originally planned to present it to Parliament this week, but had postponed it following protests raised by them.
Prof. Fernando said there were several serious issues regarding the proposed Bill and stressed it threatened to seriously undermine the State University system. The Bill would essentially place the State Universities and Private Education institutions on an equal footing, he charged.
“Private Education institutions operate on a platform based on profit-making, while the State University system is based on social justice. You can’t equate the two.”
The FUTA Head added that the Bill would also take away accreditation powers regarding HE institutions currently vested with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and entrust it to a Quality Assurance & Accreditation Commission. The Commission comprises 13 members- 9 of whom would be appointed by the President, from a panel of 15 persons nominated by the Minister. Five of the 9 members will be full-time members of the Commission, with one of them chairing the Commission. “By setting the quorum of meetings conducted by the Commission at 5, the Bill allows the five full time members, who are political appointees, to make any decision related to the Commission,” Prof. Fernando pointed out.
Another area of serious concern is that the Bill allows for students to move between HE institutions under ‘cross mobility.’ This is allowed through the Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF), Prof. Fernando remarked. “This could force State Universities to allow multiple entry points in their Degree programmes for students from Private Education institutions,” he observed.
The FUTA President also warned that the Bill would end the GCE Advanced Level examination as a qualifying examination to enter State Universities. “Those with money will be able to gain entry to State Universities through lateral entry,” he added.
Prof. Fernando said FUTA was not opposed to Accreditation & Quality Assurance of Private Education institutions. “But we see no need to do that to State Universities, which already have a mechanism to ensure this. The Government must have a thorough and transparent discussion on this Bill with all stakeholders. We will keep up the pressure on the Government until it does,” he emphasized.
OPA President Nissanka Perera stated that their organization was seriously concerned that the proposed Quality Assurance & Accreditation Commission will be a politicised body, given that, so many members can be appointed from outside.
“We acknowledge there is a need for Quality Assurance & Accreditation in the HE sector. However, the Bill, in its current form, is extremely dangerous. The OPA strongly feels that the Bill should be withdrawn and views of professionals obtained on the matter,” he said.
- Sandun Jayawardana