Indian Academics express support to striking teachers

6 October 2012 04:34 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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As the three-month-old agitation by teachers, which has crippled universities in Sri Lanka, including Jaffna, shows no sign of ending in an amicable manner; prominent academics from India have joined a large group of intellectuals from different parts of the globe, to express solidarity with the protesting teachers.

They said that they were “deeply concerned” with the crisis in Sri Lanka’s higher education sector.

In a joint statement, 22 scholars noted that only 1.86 per cent of the GDP was being spent on education in the island nation.

They pointed that the drastic decline in state investment was related to mounting issues in the education sector.

“Such a predicament has led to the university teachers’ protests, agitations by teachers’ unions and demonstrations by students. These interventions have brought our attention to the crisis of education in Sri Lanka. We stand in solidarity with the teachers, academics and students in Sri Lanka, who have taken it upon themselves to shed some light on this crisis,” said the statement, signed by noted economists such as Venkatesh Athreya, C. P. Chandrasekhar, Jayati Ghosh, Prabhat Patnaik, Utsa Patnaik, and C. Rammanohar Reddy.

“The post-war period holds much promise for the people in Sri Lanka, and in that hope, we appeal to the Government of Sri Lanka, university and teachers’ unions, students’ movements, parents’ organisations, and foreign aid donors to engage the crisis in education, and arrive at a solution that can rebuild the foundation for a democratic and prosperous society. The international community is watching Sri Lanka to see if past achievements in education will once again be revitalised,” it said.

“Our appeal to address the crisis in education has as much to do with education, as it has to do with building the foundation of democracy. Prioritising and democratising education is imperative to the process of rebuilding a just and prosperous society. As people who have invested in accessible, fair and just education for all persons, globally, we strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to take immediate note of the education crisis, negotiate with teachers and university teachers’ unions in good faith, and put in place a vibrant process to address this serious concern,” it added. (The Hindu)

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Comments - 14

Yogarajan Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:00 AM

Hmm now our education. shortcomings also getting internationalized. Will a UNICEF resolution become necessary like the UNHRC resolution. via DM Android App

Thomas Saturday, 06 October 2012 06:19 AM

The doctors must support the Academics who coached them to become doctors, as a matter of gratitude towards their teachers.

PS Ratnavel Saturday, 06 October 2012 06:27 AM

The Govt. has been lying that they spent 4% of GDP for education. The figure of 1.86% itself reflects the poor level of investment made by the state for education. We hope both SB and the Govt. do not tell lies to the public.

dava Saturday, 06 October 2012 07:39 AM

SB/ and the government are being run by liars and crooks.
If we can't understand the new, then we will never understand the country and the people's needs.
Time to chase all these fraudsters.

DINESH WITHANAGE Saturday, 06 October 2012 07:35 AM

the breeding point of the crisis was university lecturers salary slogan and then they turned to reflect as low investment by the GOSL towards education through which they are trying to meet their demands. my opinion is that they should not be given.

Real peace Saturday, 06 October 2012 10:17 AM

Fishing in troubled waters

Russell J. Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:25 PM

It is internal matter of Sri Lanka...The demand can be met through negotaiations..but not involved by Politicaly bankrupt persons.It is really shame on those persons.Becuase of Doctors on stirke ,innocent peopel die,now because of Uni Don,The students can not complete their degree.

PPC, Sydney Saturday, 06 October 2012 02:20 PM

Srilankan academics demand wages at the same scale as in foreign countries. Govt has failed to explain the difference between the condition in foreign universities and SriLanknan universities. Demand for publication, teaching, administration are tough in foreign universities. Academics has to attract funding from private companies. There is no free uni education in foreign countries. Students has to payback the fee after they start earning. There are significant overseas students who pay full fee. Every year lot of academic and university staff lose their jobs. I do not think Sri lankan academic will like to work under that condition. I know their pay is low but they have stable and easy job. The government must explain to the academic. If they do not then the mistake will be very costly.

Ayesha Arambepola Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:05 PM

Mr D Withanage, how cruel and heartless you are, have you seen the inside of any Universities in Srllanka. Do not estimate our dons lowly. Your thinking is lopsided. Open your mind and heart and think in a broader way to understand the issue.

varuna Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:20 PM

If that is the case all graduates in the country should do it. don't be so stupid. let them to fight for their rights.

observer Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:54 PM

i expect that is precisely why they changed the original demand of their campaign (which was to increase their salaries).. this whole 6% story came out recently

nicky karunarathna Sunday, 07 October 2012 02:20 AM

Oh no give us a break guys. Now that Indian supreme courts has ordered the Indian govt, that India's schools and universities are lack of drinking water and toilet facilities and within six months to fullfil those aspirations of the student population of India. According to the statistics released by the court, 40% student population of India severly suffer lack of those basic facilities. So my advice is to these idiots: look after your backyard before turning your eyes here please.

Matta Sunday, 07 October 2012 05:04 AM

This is exactly fishing in trouble water, pretending as if supporting our education but with a different agenda.As I have been there for a considerable number of years, they proved to be utterly selfish, grabbing every opportunity without letting the others to enjoy and now come in different guise to leave us on lurch. So we have to circumspect of their approach for sure and try to solve our matters at home,bet it education or whatever. Hence I feel that this approach is a sort of ploy or an hoax to vilify our reputation. Our problem is not something related to 'predicament' but rather further improvement of our quality education. Hence our academicians are scot-free to march forward with grit to achieve the long term objectives of the education in Sri Lanka.

prasad Monday, 08 October 2012 05:19 AM

Patatic conditions in Universities though some units are superb.
Time to rethink of level of unis and state of art facilities to get the best out of best brains in SL.
Otherwise u allways send out graduats who will ask jobs from Government than creating jobs/industries/Agiculture...

Wake up govenrment !! put this right!

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Indian Academics express support to striking teachers

Comments - 14

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