Confronting challenges of recent changes in Sri Lankan higher education: The case of social sciences

Abstract

This study describes some selected challenges of recent changes in Sri Lankan higher education in social sciences and how those challenges can be strategically addressed. There is a strong sentiment that universities in Sri Lanka are in a state of constant crisis, as rising demand for higher education is not being met, despite its growing importance on the sustainable development agenda. This criticism is predominately directed toward social sciences and humanities in higher education institutions, in terms of their relevance in the market economy. The mismatch between the needs of society and courses offered by universities has contributed to a high-level of graduate unemployment. A mix-method research approach method was employed in this research and both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered. The analysis of data indicates that challenges stemming from recent changes in social science education are often related to transformed and reinterpreted expectations of university education and about approaches to university education. Maintaining and improving quality of education, improving the relevance of curricula at a time of rapid change in the market economy, accommodating societal needs going along with dynamics of global higher education are some of those challenges leading to an unstable situation in the social science education unless strategically addressed.