Education System
The impact of our current education system is creation of selfish, non productive and self-focused people. How can we improve our business and move forward as a nation, without integrated Quality Management System in all sectors in the country? ( I do not know any of the resource persons in the country to answer this question. Therefore, I cannot select any name. Since the system demands three names, I am forced to select three names !Please forward it to appropriate person.)
Answered By :Sujata Gamage TQM in Education
We expect much from our public education system and naturally wish for better management in the system. However, education along with issues like health and the environment are complex issues that cannot be managed in isolation. In the absence of a visionary political leadership or a sea-change in attitudes in society, we are unlikely to see significant changes in our education system. So, total quality management (TQM) as suggested is not realistic for education, but, we can perhaps talk about some limited QM in education where the corporate sector can play a role.
I think we can bring about some changes for the better if we begin with the end in mind, the end being the end of the road after 13 years for any given cohort of children entering school. We all know that places in public university system are limited but our education system is driven by the dreams of a majority of parent to secure a place for their child in the public university system. Those dreams also sustain an examination-centered education system, perhaps because these parents do not know of any viable alternatives.
To change the present education system I believe the private sector and Philanthropists can play an important role by investing in tertiary education and setting up information systems to inform student, parents and the public. We also need better information on the current level of private investments in tertiary education. (Stay tuned for the results of the LIRNEasia survey on the topic).
Reader's Comment(s)
By Piyadasa Gamage 2012-05-02 11:44 AM
Dear Dr. Sujatha Gamage Thank you for your reply. You clearly understand the complexity of the educational issues in Sri Lanka. Let us do what we can do to make the necessary changes. We can do it, if we are united as professionals. I agree with you that TQM is not the answer in a society that prepares children for examination-centred educational system that eventually produces self-centred individuals and organisations. Therefore, TQM is impossible in a divided society. What I suggested was an Integrated Quality Management System for Education that encourages primary, secondary and tertiary education systems to communicate with the corporate sector and prepare the next generation to work towards a common goal. The focus of majority of our parents is to produce doctors, engineers, accountants and managers. As a result, the natural talents of the children have been replaced by spreading jealousy and hate. Technical skills that the country desperately need have not been recognised by the society and our parents should realise the impact of damage already done to the next generation as a result of traditional thinking that there is no future without a university degree! As we all know, there are many other ways of obtaining degrees if they wanted to. The result of our “degree” focused education system is that everybody is competing with each other; we already experience too many unethical and unprofessional practices in and around the country. Competition is everywhere. Doctors, teachers, politicians, bus drivers, children are some of them. The changes taken place in the education system inadvertently have created a society that hates one another. I believe demand for quality professionals by the private sector will create the missing visionary leadership. If the private sector is willing to work with educational establishments and educationists in Sri Lanka, we will have a quality work force in our country to support economic development. When parents experience the demand and the value of vocational training, existing conventional thinking will disappear and the most wanted sea-change in attitude will occur. As you suggested; we can organize and set up a program to educate private sector and the parents to change the attitude for benefit of everybody. If we did this, private sector will benefit by “investing in people” approach. The country will also benefit as a result if we can initiate the following activities. • Educate private sector to demand for quality professionals and pay higher salaries to attract and retain them. • Encourage corporate bodies to tell the educationist in the country what they need. (Integrated management system) • Invest and support vocational training establishments as a part of their corporate responsibility. • Create trainee positions for the youths who receive training in Technical College throughout the country. • Support trainees to attend colleges on part-time basis whilst in full time employment (invest in people) If we do not take action now, we will have to employ people from China and India in the near future. I am happy help your organisation to drive such a project on voluntary basis.
By Sujata Gamage 2012-10-25 9:32 AM
Thank you for not just offering an idea but offering to drive such an idea. What you are suggesting is that we put an effort into educating our private sector to demand better human resources and work towards that. We already have Chambers of Commerce. One of them might take up the HR issue to focus. Also If you can think of a particular enterprise which is willing to adopt your idea as their CSR that is another approach. You have my contact information if you want to pursue the idea.
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