Calls to raise English proficiency

[TamilNet, Friday, 17 November 2000, 13:59 GMT]
Two percent of the students enrolled for courses in Management and Commerce at the Jaffna University have abandoned their studies midway as they were unable to follow lectures in English language, revealed Prof.Dr.S.Kunarasa, former Register of the university while addressing the inaugural session of the three day Tamil Language Festival in Trincomalee Friday morning.

"It is pathetic to note that students abandon their higher education in universities, as they are unable to follow in an alien language", Dr.S.Kunarasa said.

He added that since 1956, university education is supposed to be in their mother tongue for all students. Now, with subjects such as medicine, law, science and engineering being taught in English, students who obtain university admission in Tamil medium are finding it very difficult to follow the lectures in English. It is pathetic to note that students abandon their higher education in universities, as they are unable to follow in an alien language, he said.

He stressed that every student should get himself or herself qualified in English language. But he was careful to stress that this does not mean that they should follow classes in English medium, as every student has a right to obtain higher education in his or her mother tongue. This fundamental right should not be refused, he pointed out.

All students who obtain admission to Jaffna University have Tamil medium education up to G.C.E.Advanced Level at secondary schools.

Mr.K.Parameswaran, Provincial Secretary to the NorthEast Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs and Sports delivered the inaugural address, while Mr.G.Kirushnamoorthy, Chief Secretary to the NE Provincial Council officially opened the three-day Tamil Festival.