An External Degree Student the University of Kelaniya Files an RTI Requesting Information about the Degree Programme
Sri Lanka has a higher literacy rate when compared with other Asian countries although the education sector in the country has many unresolved issues. Difficulties and problems in resource allocation, scarcity of resources and other practical and technical problems have created this issue.
More than 300,000 students are enrolled for grade one in the country annually but only a small percentage of this number get the opportunity to sit the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination by passing Ordinary Level examination. An even smaller percentage of this amount get entrance to State universities meeting the cut off mark specified at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination. While a small percentage of the rest opt to go overseas for higher education, there are others who pursue external degree programmes offered by the State universities and other institutions.
Students who enroll for the external degrees offered by State universities face numerous problems and to overcome some of these issues the Right to Information (RTI) Act was used by one of the students.
Lasantha*, has registered for the academic year 2015 for an external degree at the University of Kelaniya after registering as an external degree student in 2014. However, there has been a long delay in holding the first-year examination. This has frustrated students who were keen on completing their degree programmes and joining the workforce of the country as qualified individuals.
Lasantha* who was very depressed about this issue came across the RTI Act through a workshop conducted by Sri Lanka Press Institute with the financial support from USAID-SDGAP programme.
With the RTI knowledge Lasantha gained, he made a Right to Information (RTI) request under the RTI Act No: 12 of 2016 to the University administration seeking answers to the problems related to the first year examinations and other related problems. He filed his application in December 2018.
There was prompt action was made by the University of Kelaniya as the centre for Distance and Continuous Education Centre sent him a response letter addressing the problems of the entire student community. This has given some hope to students and they are hopeful there action will be taken to rectify the issues faced by the students.
Lasantha says that RTI provided answers for the questions he and the rest of the students had and said that he felt fortunate that he was empowered with the RTI knowledge through the workshop that had a thorough RTI training. His intention is to educate his peers on RTI and make use of RTI in the future as well.
*Identity has been changed. The name in the story is a fictional one.