Waiting time for public universities to be reduced

Long queues to enter a State university will be reduced, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assured yesterday in Parliament, ending time wastage of eligible students.

According to Wickremesinghe, the Ministry of Education and the Examination Department should work together with the University Grants Commission to resolve this national issue, which discourage students from entering a State university.

“I sat for the examination in December. Results came in the following April and I was able to get admitted in October. Even in Europe the same system is followed. But we are looking at reducing the period taken to admit students to the Universities,” he said. Chief Opposition Whip, JVP MP Anura Dissanayake who was unhappy with university eligible students wasting time at home and getting distracted by various other options, including going overseas, wanted Government action.

“Less number of students are admitted to Universities, regardless of the large numbers eligible to enter. Especially for the science related faculties, the numbers keep dropping. Waiting for a period of 20 months at home after finishing the Advanced Level examination to enter a State University discourages most of them. Instead of wasting time, they select different options including different types of tertiary education or employment,” said Dissanayaka, who wanted Government intervention. (AH)