J’Pura University’s external English course: Taking intelligent students for a ride
The country’s intellectual capacity depends on the availability of a functioning University education system that provides quality education. This is even more important when the subject matter concerned is English, as it is the second language in Sri Lanka and the common language internationally.
I am an English teacher who applied for the BA in English (external degree course) of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura in 2007 and I am in my 3rd year. The University has been dragging the degree for over seven years. I am still waiting for the results of the exam I sat for in March 2014. This is in stark contrast to the modus operandi of private institutions such as the OUSL and other educational institutions which are punctual in this respect.
The University charges an exorbitant fee but does not provide a commensurate service; they do not provide any resource material or conduct lectures or seminars. Exams are postponed on a regular basis sometimes over a year. Results are also sometimes delayed for over a year such as this year depriving many graduates an opportunity to apply for the post graduate courses which were advertised with the closing date of December 31, 2014.
Most candidates are English teachers. However an analysis of the results would show a failure rate of over 75%. This is mainly because the University does not provide proper course guidance. Therefore it is not surprising that many opt to spend exorbitant amounts of money and enrol in the recently established educational institutions where a student can obtain a qualification within a period of three years. It is best that the local Universities call off all their external courses without misleading innocent students.Given the nature of the course one would expect more professionalism from one of Sri Lanka’s premier educational institutions. Isn’t it time that the authorities concerned took decisions regarding this matter! A disheartened student
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