Compulsory leadership training for undergraduates
Encyclopedia
Compulsory leadership training for undergraduates in Sri Lanka
is a mandatory program introduced in 2011 by the Sri Lankan Government for all students select for undergraduate courses in state universities to undergo residential three week leadership training
and positive thinking development
at training camps under the Defence Ministry
which as lead to much controversy.
Sunil Navaratne, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education stated that it was a "orientation programme for the university entrants to acquire universal education". Hon S. B. Dissanayake
, Minister of Higher Education stated that content of this programme is carefully designed by the experts on education and physical and psychological health. The residential training is to be carried out at 28 camps include 18 army, two naval, two air force and four cadet and police camps according to Major General
Milinda Peiris
, Vice Chancellor/Commandant, Kotalawala Defence University. He further stated that prominence in the programme is given to leadership skills while conceptual skills, strategic management skills, conflict resolution skills, human skills will also be developed. Chairman of the University Grants Commission
Prof Gamini Samaranayake had observed that it would be an "appropriate solution" for ragging
.
. Inter University Students' Federation
filed a fundamental right's petition to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
asking for an injunction order against the programme. The court rejected the petition.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
is a mandatory program introduced in 2011 by the Sri Lankan Government for all students select for undergraduate courses in state universities to undergo residential three week leadership training
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
and positive thinking development
Indoctrination
Indoctrination is the process of inculcating ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or a professional methodology . It is often distinguished from education by the fact that the indoctrinated person is expected not to question or critically examine the doctrine they have learned...
at training camps under the Defence Ministry
Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)
The Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order is the Sri Lankan government ministry responsible for implementation of government defence policy and the headquarters of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces....
which as lead to much controversy.
Proponents
It has been claimed by the Government that this program has been launched to increase employability of graduates thus reducing the high graduate unemployment in state universities. 10,000 students have been earmarked for the first group of training starting May 22, 2011 and second group of 12,000 is set to follow on June 22 in order to cover the 2011-2012 state university undergraduate intake. DrDoctor (title)
Doctor, as a title, originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre . It has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread...
Sunil Navaratne, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education stated that it was a "orientation programme for the university entrants to acquire universal education". Hon S. B. Dissanayake
S. B. Dissanayake
Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Sumanaweera Banda Dissanayake, MP is a Sri Lankan politician. He is the current Cabinet Minister of Higher Education in President Mahinda Rajapakse's Government...
, Minister of Higher Education stated that content of this programme is carefully designed by the experts on education and physical and psychological health. The residential training is to be carried out at 28 camps include 18 army, two naval, two air force and four cadet and police camps according to Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Milinda Peiris
Milinda Peiris
Major General Milinda Peiris, RWP, RSP, USP, ndc, psc, is a Sri Lankan Army officer who commanded the 5th Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps with distinction....
, Vice Chancellor/Commandant, Kotalawala Defence University. He further stated that prominence in the programme is given to leadership skills while conceptual skills, strategic management skills, conflict resolution skills, human skills will also be developed. Chairman of the University Grants Commission
University Grants Commission (Sri Lanka)
The University Grants Commission is the body responsible for funding most of the State Universities in Sri Lanka, and operates within the frame work of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, itself established in 1979. A public organization, established under the Parliament Act No 16 of 1978...
Prof Gamini Samaranayake had observed that it would be an "appropriate solution" for ragging
Ragging
Ragging is a practice in educational institutions in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka that involves existing students baiting or bullying new students. It is similar to the American phenomenon of hazing. It often takes a malignant form wherein the newcomers may be subjected to psychological or...
.
Critics
This move has drown criticisms from the opposition, student groups and human rights groups as the nature of compulsory military type training seen in conscriptionConscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
. Inter University Students' Federation
Inter University Students' Federation
Inter University Students' Federation aka anthare is a students' union affiliated to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna , a Marxist-Leninist political party in Sri Lanka.-Overview:...
filed a fundamental right's petition to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka is the highest court of the nation of Sri Lanka. The Supreme Court is the highest and final judicial instance of record and is empowered to exercise its powers, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. The Court has ultimate appellate jurisdiction in...
asking for an injunction order against the programme. The court rejected the petition.
See also
- Education in Sri LankaEducation in Sri LankaEducation in Sri Lanka has a long history which dates back two millennia and the Constitution of Sri Lanka provide for education as a fundamental right. The Sri Lanka's population has a literacy rate of 92%, higher than that expected for a third world country; it has the highest literacy rate in...
- Ragging in Sri LankaRagging in Sri LankaRagging is a verbal, physical or psychological abuse on newcomers to educational institutions. It is similar to the American phenomenon known as hazing. Sri Lanka is said to be its worst affected country in the world.-History:...
- conscriptionConscriptionConscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
- Compulsory Military Training in New ZealandCompulsory Military Training in New ZealandCompulsory military training , a form of conscription, has been used in New Zealand during a number of historical periods.-Origins and world wars:CMT was first introduced in New Zealand with the Defence Act of 1909...