News
Experts baffled by paradox of private schools growing but children not learning fast enough
Private primary schools have grown faster in South Asia than in any other region in the world with the highest involvement of non-government actors, but children are not learning as fast as they should be, says a recent UNESCO report.
According to the findings of a UNESCO and Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report titled ‘Non-State Actors in Education: Who Chooses? Who Loses?’ launched by the Idara-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) private education institutions doubled in primary education in 20 years both worldwide (from 10 per cent in 2000 to 19 per cent in 2020) and in South Asia (from 19 per cent in 2000 to 38 per cent in 2020).
The share of private institutions in secondary education is 27 per cent globally and 50 per cent in South Asia.But despite fast growing access to education in South Asia than in any other region of the world, the children are not learning as fast as they should be. Rather they are one-third below the global average and growing more slowly than in the rest of the world.
The critical question this report asks at this point is how governments can establish a just and effective oversight of the multiple actors. Whether a school is run by the state, by a religious organisation or by the community, the report reminds ministries that it should contribute to the common objective of delivering a quality, equitable education.
Education systems are dynamic entities, with capacity to absorb innovations, integrate new actors, respond to labour market trends and community demands over time. Countries such as India and Pakistan have responded to this change, creating regulatory environments that are more flexible and less restrictive, and allow for innovation to prosper. But, as with any fast-paced developments, there is a risk that change may overtake capacity for control.
The report says that regulations lay the ground rules reflecting the core values of the objectives in our 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. When designed and enforced effectively, they keep all actors in check.
The report, Who chooses? Who loses? draws on the experience of the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, and its six partners from the region: BRAC (Bangladesh); the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (Nepal); the Institute of Policy Studies (Sri Lanka); Idara-E-Taleem-o-Aagahi (Pakistan); the Center for Policy Research (India); and the Central Square Foundation (India). Combining also experiences from Afghanistan, Bhutan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Maldives, it looks at the occasions where equity issues have come under pressure with the growing advent of private education, and where positive practices have successfully created cohesion across all actors involved.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
