A.R.M. Anzar,
Lecturer,
South Eastern University, Oluvil.
I think no one will disagree with my point of view that the level of education among women in our country has tremendously reached a higher level beyond our expectations. It is very much evident when we see the large number of female students who enter universities and the number of women who get employment opportunities in government sector through competitive examinations. Whilst we appreciate the progress in education among women we have to be vigilant about the other side of the coin.
Though there are equal opportunities for male and female students in our country, it is obvious that male students do not show much interest in education whereas female students mostly stay at home and make use of their free time and the ample opportunities they get to widen their knowledge. But in the case of male students, there is a trend nowadays that they, after the G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) examination, opt to choose for easy access for employment early and they divert their attention towards some short courses that lead to get employment easily in the private sector or abroad rather than focusing on higher education. Moreover there are much more distractors to divert their attention. Peer groups and social media play a major role in diverting the attention of the male students towards various things. As a result, male students are unable to compete with their female counterparts in education as well as employment opportunities. Hence, females make use of this opportunity and enjoy the privileges that male students deserve.
University Admission for Faculty of Arts in Sri Lanka
Source: http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/publications/1573-sri-lanka-university-statics-.html
When we analyse the statistics of the university entrance and the employment ratio in the government sector we will be astounded when we see that the female population has outnumbered the male population during the last few years. This is, in my view, not because that women are more intelligent than men, but the men in this country are very much negligent in their educational and professional development and their negligence finally leads to great loss. If we do not pay attention to this threat, time will not be far off when the majority of the children of this country will declare that their mother is a government employee and, at the same time, their father is a house husband. A right thinking citizen of this country will never allow such a situation to arise.
As we know, when compared to men, women have certain key responsibilities other than education and employment namely, raising children, home making, etc. There are also certain job categories that are meant exclusive for women such as midwife. Thus, I would like to propose a kind of mechanism to see that more and more young men focus their attention towards educational and professional development and their career path in the future. Hence, if we can have a ceiling of 50 percent or even 40 percent to the females on university entry level and in employment opportunities that are generally held by both men and women, we can, at least, maintain a balance in university admission and employment ratio.
One might argue that it is impossible because of fundamental rights issues. As all know, the new government has now focused to change the constitution of our country. Therefore, I propose that this issue be included in the new constitution that is going to be placed in parliament soon. Could the law makers of this country including the President, the Cabinet of Ministers and the members of the parliament focus their attention towards this radical issue?
In order to give publicity to this topic may I ask the readers to bring it to the notice of the people concerned so that we can convince the law makers that this matter in question is very crucial for the future of this country.
