The government has decided to stop External Degrees and a circular to this effect has been issued to all the universities in the country, the Education Ministry said.
Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne told The Sunday Leader that the decision was taken as it was found that External Degrees do not meet their purpose.
Dr. Navaratne said with the circular being issued the matter was now subject to further discussion and proposals which will be studied before External Degrees are formally not recognized.
He explained that over 10,000 External Degree holders fail to obtain employment annually and most unemployed graduates are External Degree holders.
Dr. Navaratne also said that 40,000 external Degree holders have been drafted into government institutions for employment.
However he said most of them fail to meet the demands of the post they are drafted into despite holding a degree.
As a result it was decided that an External Degree holder will be found fit to take up a post at a job in a government institution only after a thorough evaluation test by the employer. Meanwhile Deputy Minister Nandamithra Ekanayake said that any institute conducting classes for External Degrees must be registered with the University Grants Commission.
The government has decided to stop External Degrees and a circular to this effect has been issued to all the universities in the country, the Education Ministry said.
Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne told The Sunday Leader that the decision was taken as it was found that External Degrees do not meet their purpose.
Dr. Navaratne said with the circular being issued the matter was now subject to further discussion and proposals which will be studied before External Degrees are formally not recognized.
He explained that over 10,000 External Degree holders fail to obtain employment annually and most unemployed graduates are External Degree holders.
Dr. Navaratne also said that 40,000 external Degree holders have been drafted into government institutions for employment.
However he said most of them fail to meet the demands of the post they are drafted into despite holding a degree.
As a result it was decided that an External Degree holder will be found fit to take up a post at a job in a government institution only after a thorough evaluation test by the employer. Meanwhile Deputy Minister Nandamithra Ekanayake said that any institute conducting classes for External Degrees must be registered with the University Grants Commission.