The problem of the medium of instruction of science education in Ceylon

• Main Author: Fernando, Marcus A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1968
• Subjects: English language—Sri Lanka; Language and education—Sri Lanka; Native language and education—Sri Lanka; Trigonometry; Numbers, Complex; Science and Mathematics Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6108; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/13034/viewcontent/The_problem_of_the_medium_of_instruction_of_science_education2.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

With the dawn of independence, the government of Ceylon set about displacing English from its privileged position and took measures to restore the vernaculars to their rightful place - in the education system of the country. Although it was taken primarily in deference to nationalist aspirations or at least in compliance with insistent nationalist demands, this step, apart from its pedagogical soundness was conducive to a healthy democratization of education. Unfortunately in the implementation of this phase of the new educational strategy, the government committed certain tactical errors. These in turn precipitated serious complications which collectively go by the name “problem" as carried by the title of this project paper. It aims at an objective study of this problem. At the outset I have delineated the relevant socio-historical factors, a knowledge of which is a prerequisite for a proper appreciation of the dilemma in as much as they happen to be its remote cause. I have next attempted to analyze the nature as well as various aspects of the problem, its implications and its overtones at various academic levels. The work includes discussions on the significance, possibilities and limitations of the vernacular as a medium of instruction in this particular sphere, as also the role of English in the same context. These I believe are integral to a comprehensive study of the problem, and incidentally may suggest avenues of approach to its challenges I have also set forth certain proposals which, if implemented, could in my opinion pave the way for an eventual solution. There is little doubt that until an expeditious and unequivocal answer to it is found, this vexed question will continue to haunt our education scene, stall academic progress and conceivably send repercussions through the political and economic life of our nation.