Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Mechanisms at Sri Lankan Universities and the Way Forwards for Policy Implications

Abstract

There are certain mechanisms under the institutional academic and administrative systems, common to all state universities in Sri Lanka that could facilitate to satisfy the requirements of Student with Disabilities. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of those mechanisms in meeting the needs of students with disabilities to investigate the research problem of whether there are effective and established mechanisms in state universities in Sri Lanka to address the need of inclusive education. It focuses on specific areas of teaching and learning, academic administrative structures, staff development, financial allocation and monitoring and evaluation. The overall objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of existing academic and welfare mechanisms in state university education for students with learning disabilities, and to identify the gaps in policy orientations and the practicalities in the available mechanisms. The study was a cross sectional study based on cases study method and the study is also based on explanatory type in its nature using qualitative methods. The study is confined its case location in two state universities: Eastern University of Sri Lanka and University of Ruhuna. In both universities, the study universe is confined to students of arts, humanities, and social sciences. Sri Lankan state universities have centrally directed policy mechanisms for teaching and learning and well-established mechanisms of student welfare systems. Even though the universities have sufficient academic and administrative structural arrangements, functions of those arrangements are ineffective due to various reasons to serve the special needs of students with disabilities. Beyond the reality that certain policy mechanisms are to be newly implemented to sustain technological and financial resources, existing mechanisms can be operated effectively with the available resources to meet the academic and welfare needs of students with disabilities.