Education reforms could deepen rural–urban divide: FUTA

Colombo, Jan. 21 (Daily Mirror) - Concerns that ongoing education reforms could widen disparities between rural and urban schools were raised during a high-level discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

FUTA members cautioned that while education reforms are necessary, their urgency is far greater for students in rural areas who continue to face limited access to resources, infrastructure and qualified teaching staff. They noted that attempts to implement reforms through existing frameworks established by the National Institute of Education have exposed legal and structural challenges within the current system.

Responding to these concerns, President Dissanayake said the Government is moving to establish a comprehensive mechanism, backed by a suitable legal framework, to bring together university academics, subject experts and other stakeholders to address issues arising during the reform process.

Academics also presented proposals highlighting long-standing challenges faced within the university system and suggested policy-level solutions. The President assured that all necessary steps would be taken to protect the university system and strengthen the education sector, including through proposed amendments to the Universities Act.

The discussion also touched on the Government’s broader post-disaster rebuilding programme, with the President calling on university academics to actively contribute to national recovery efforts aimed at ensuring economic stability and sustainable development.