SAITM and the issue of access to professional education in Sri Lanka

Monday, 25 January 2016 00:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

I refer to the article by Ms. Sujatha Gamage under the above title. I have no axe to grind as my children have completed their academic and professional education here and abroad.

I can understand professionals seeking to debar the entry of newcomers to their profession who have not followed the same professional education as they themselves (although the real purpose may or may not be to limit entry to the profession to keep up the present high levels of earnings in the professions). But their slip is showing when these professionals are willing to accept foreign qualified personnel but not those who claim to have the same qualifications from here although they are from a different organisation.

If they are genuinely interested in safeguarding the existing standards in their professions they should insist on allowing only those who have followed the same training and education as themselves to enter the profession. But they are willing to allow foreign qualifications to be accepted. Why this discrimination against those who cannot afford to send their children abroad to obtain these foreign qualifications? Are they not discriminating against those who are poor or at least those who cannot afford to spend for a foreign education? Why discriminate against local qualifications?

R.M.B Senanayake