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The growth of foreign qualification suppliers in Sri Lanka: de facto decentralisation?

Based mainly on a study of newspaper adverts for qualifications and tuition courses in Sri Lanka over a period from ... Show more
Based mainly on a study of newspaper adverts for qualifications and tuition courses in Sri Lanka over a period from 1965 to 2000, this paper describes a decentralisation of control over the supply of qualifications. It is argued that this has occurred not through a deliberate policy mechanism to decentralise qualifications, but rather by default, through the more general liberalisation of the economy since 1978. Interviews and documentary analysis indicate that at the beginning of the period under study, education and qualifications in Sri Lanka were largely under the control of the state. However, by the end of the period of study, control over the provision of various qualifications rests with diverse bodies - foreign and domestic, public and private. This constitutes a de facto decentralisation in education and qualification provisions in Sri Lanka, notwithstanding the absence of education policy-making to this effect.
Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Authors: Little, Angela W.; Evans, Jane

Date: 2005

Geographic subjects: Asia; Sri Lanka

Resource type: Article

Journal title: Compare: a journal of comparative education

Subjects: Qualifications; Governance; Industry
The National Qualifications Framework for skills training reform in Sri Lanka

The National Vocational Qualifications Framework of Sri Lanka was developed in conformity with the socioeconomic mi ... Show more
The National Vocational Qualifications Framework of Sri Lanka was developed in conformity with the socioeconomic milieu and the needs of the labor market with the participation of industry stakeholders. It has enhanced the role of the government in policy and regulation, and the role of the private sector in providing skills training. A unified system with seven levels covering 96 occupations at the craft level, 14 fields at the middle technician level, and four courses of study at the degree level, it has reduced the complexity and ambiguity of training and selecting competent workers. This publication describes the progress and challenges in developing, implementing, and monitoring this ambitious scheme, with lessons for developing skills qualification frameworks in other countries.
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Corporate authors: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Sri Lanka; Asia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Adult and community education; Employment; Equity ... [+] Show more
Human resource development systems for customer care services management in telecommunications companies: a comparative analysis of Sri Lanka and Japan

This research explores predominantly what specific soft technologies or soft management practices that Nippon Teleg ... Show more
This research explores predominantly what specific soft technologies or soft management practices that Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Communications Corporation (NTT Com) in Japan has transferred to SLT [Sri Lanka Telecom] in the sphere of customer service, human resource management and HRD [human resource development] and how such technologies contribute to SLT's delivering better customer service. Taking two one-stop shops, i.e., Teleshops of SLT and 116 call centers of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NTT East) in Japan, as the units of analysis, a comparison between the two was achieved with particular reference to organization of customer service function, employee classification system, job structure, staffing system, performance evaluation, compensation system and HRD system as they are applied to front-line customer service employees. The data in this study were collected using mainly the field role of observer-as-participant and semi-structured in-depth personal interviews with front-line customer service employees and various levels of management in firms and union leaders of SLT. The significant reliance placed on the observer-as-participant method in this study contrasts with the approach in much of the case study research in human resource management and HRD. The comparison between two units found many similarities and differences in terms of organization of customer service function in each unit and their internal work organization. Amongst them, the highest degree of transferability is evident in the manner in which jobs are defined broadly and its implications for skill formation of front-line customer service employees. Thus front-line customer service employees of Teleshops perform a wide range of front-line and back office functions with regular job rotation schedules decided by the manager of each Teleshop. This broad definition of jobs has resulted in these employees perceiving themselves to be generalists capable of handling many interrelated tasks. From the perspective of the customer, broadly skilled customer service employees could minimize the time and cost of searching for information on new products and services as they are able to attend to a variety of customer needs and requests. This study also found the high possibility of transferring certain soft management practices from NTT to SLT with appropriate reconfiguration of human resource management and HRD practices.
Excerpt from 'Highlights' reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Authors: Dassanayake, Mudiyanselage Saman; Hori, Haruhiko

Date: 2005

Geographic subjects: Asia; Japan; Sri Lanka

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Career development; Skills and knowledge; Research ... [+] Show more
Impact of services trade liberalization on employment and people movement in South Asia

Services have been a key driver of overall economic growth in South Asia since the 1990s. This paper examines how t ... Show more
Services have been a key driver of overall economic growth in South Asia since the 1990s. This paper examines how the growth of services output, trade and investment have affected service sector employment in South Asia and the extent to which countries in this region are proactively undertaking skill development, training, and human resource management policies that are targeted at the service sector.
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Authors: Chanda, Rupa

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Asia; Bangladesh; India ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: ADBI working paper series

Subjects: Skills and knowledge; Employment; Policy ... [+] Show more
Regional conference on human resource development through TVET as a development strategy in Asia

The objectives of this conference were to: (1) showcase the establishment and implementation of a National Vocation ... Show more
The objectives of this conference were to: (1) showcase the establishment and implementation of a National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and to share the experience of Sri Lanka with countries in the South Asia and Southeast Asia region; (2) analyse the key implementation issues of the NVQ system and the benefits of NVQF to Sri Lankan industry; (3) take examples of advancements in qualification systems and best practices in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in high income and middle income countries for further improvement; and (4) make employers and human resource agencies of Sri Lanka and abroad aware of the Sri Lankan TVET system that provide quality assured competencies at certificate, diploma and degree levels. Presentations: International trends in technical and vocational education and training [key note address] / Sungsup Ra; Technical and vocational education pathways in Australia / Judith Uren; School to work transition: whether and how to vocationalize secondary education / Sofia Shakil; Key reforms in revitalizing technical and vocational education training (TVET) in Malaysia / Pang Chau Leong; Canada has strong participation in its TVET programming through community colleges that work closely with the private sector: how does that work? / James William Knight; Sweden: career guidance for improved efficiency and effectiveness of TVET / Klas Tallvid; National strategy on technical and vocational education and training (tvet) provision for vulnerable people in Sri Lanka / Ajith Polwatte; TVET strategy of India for greater access to young population and improvement of relevance through Sector Councils / Sharda Prasad; Labour market analysis and human resource demand forecasting in developing economies / Paul Comyn; Human resource demand forecasting: Sri Lankan experience / Janaka Jayalath; Labour migration: Sri Lankan experience / Mangala Randeniya; Concepts, development and implementation of National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) of Sri Lanka / T. A. Piyasiri; How national competency standards and assessment meet the expectation of industry / T. P. K. Perera; Role and accountability of university of vocational technology in tvet sector in Sri Lanka / D. D. Wijesinghe; Implementation of NVQ at certificate level: critical issues and lessons learnt / W. D. Fernando; Implementation of NVQ Level 5 and 6 at the colleges of technology / Chitral Ambawatta; How does [Accredited Training Providers' Association] ATPA influence the society in implementing the NVQ system among the youth / Neil Bulathsinhala; NVQ implementation by [nongovernment organisation] NGO vocational training providers in Sri Lanka: experience and lessons learned on use of employment/income tracer studies / Ingrid Knutson; How the industry and commerce view the establishment of NVQ in Sri Lanka / Thusitha Tennakoon; The true story of capability development at Coca-Cola: Sri Lanka shows how the industry benefited from the NVQ / Amali Ferdinandes; Regional overview of TVET and key issues / Paul Comyn; TVET reforms in Pakistan / Abdul Wahi Uqaily; TVET developments in Bangladesh / Abul Kashem; TVET reforms in Nepal / Chandra Bhakta Nakarmi; Experience of TVET reforms and NVQF in Bhutan / Sangay Dorjee. Show less

Corporate authors: Sri Lanka. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development

Conference name: Regional Conference on Human Resource Development through TVET

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Sri Lanka; India; Pakistan ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Conference

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Workforce development; Qualifications ... [+] Show more
National qualifications frameworks: what's the evidence of success?

The popularity of national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) has grown dramatically in the last five years. Over 100 ... Show more
The popularity of national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) has grown dramatically in the last five years. Over 100 countries are now implementing, developing, or considering NQFs, or involved in regional qualifications frameworks. Qualifications frameworks have been widely endorsed by influential international organisations and bilateral agencies, often supported by aid money and even loans. But what evidence is there about the impacts, strengths, and weaknesses of NQFs, particularly for developing countries? Have they solved the 'mismatch' between education and training systems and labour markets? This paper presents some highlights from the International Labour Organisation's comparison of qualifications frameworks in 16 countries.
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Authors: Allais, Stephanie

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Australia; England; New Zealand ... [+] Show more Africa; Britain; America; America [-] Show less

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: CES briefing

Subjects: Qualifications; Governance; Labour market ... [+] Show more
Workforce development for a knowledge economy: report of the international workshop

The International Workshop on Workforce Development for a Knowledge Economy was organised by the Asian Development ... Show more
The International Workshop on Workforce Development for a Knowledge Economy was organised by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET) with the goal of identifying new and innovative legislation, policy and planning, which must be introduced to keep technical and vocational education and training (TVET) relevant in Asia. In support of this goal, the objectives of the workshop were to: share experiences of workforce development for a knowledge economy; draft project proposals to develop the workforce needed for a knowledge economy; and examine the issues to be faced with the advent of knowledge economy. During the workshop, national strategies for development and key initiatives to provide all citizens with broad literacy, numeracy, and generic skills for survival in a knowledge-based economy were discussed. Participants of the workshop were expected to gain a better understanding of the social, cultural and economic impact of the knowledge economy and to consider new ways of doing business that would help them achieve and maintain national and international competitiveness.
This report contains the workshop proceedings, lecture presentations, discussions and outcomes of the workshop. It also contains country reports from: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Show less

Authors: Lee, Hyun-jeong; Lee, Jeong-Keum

Conference name: International Workshop on Workforce Development for a Knowledge Economy

Date: 2005

Geographic subjects: Asia; Central Asia; Bangladesh ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Conference

Subjects: Workforce development; Innovation; Policy ... [+] Show more
Women and the teaching profession: exploring the feminisation debate

The debates on women and teaching have been wide ranging and, in some cases, contentious. They have included review ... Show more
The debates on women and teaching have been wide ranging and, in some cases, contentious. They have included reviews of why the profession can become gender imbalanced in favour of women, the impacts of this on learning processes and student education, and the implications on women’s overall empowerment within society and the economy. Most of the research to date has concentrated on developed countries, such as the UK, Australia and Canada, where women have been a significant majority in the teaching workforce for decades. This study looks at how the teacher feminisation debate applies in developing countries. Drawing on the experiences of Dominica, Lesotho, Samoa, Sri Lanka and India, it provides a strong analytical understanding of the role of female teachers in the expansion of education systems, and the surrounding gender equality issues. Four of the countries (Dominica, Lesotho, Samoa and Sri Lanka) have a majority of women teachers in their teaching workforce. In the case of India, the study focuses on the contrasting state level experiences of Kerala and Rajasthan; Kerala is known for the high percentage of female teachers in its workforce, whereas, in Rajasthan, female teachers are few and far between. The study analyses issues through a broader lens on gender equity as it pertains not just to education, but also to employment and women’s rights and empowerment more generally.
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Authors: Kelleher, Fatimah; Severin, Francis O.; Khaahloe, Matselane B.; Samson, Meera ... [+] Show more

Corporate authors: Commonwealth Secretariat ... [+] Show more

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Dominican Republic; Lesotho; Samoa ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Gender; Teaching and learning; Research ... [+] Show more
Improving the quality of training of adult education practitioners in the South Asian region: some considerations

This paper formed part of a thematic workshop held at the CONFINTEA Mid-term Review Conference in Bangkok, Thailand ... Show more
This paper formed part of a thematic workshop held at the CONFINTEA Mid-term Review Conference in Bangkok, Thailand in September 2003. The workshop highlighted policies, programs and projects devoted to adult education training that have been initiated in various parts of the world. The author examines the current status of adult educator training in the South Asian region, including the providers of the programs, their content, and their effectiveness. Nine issues for consideration by policymakers, educational planners and administrators are raised in order to improve the quality of training for adult educators in the region. These are: (1) revisiting and reformulating existing educational policies and programs; (2) training adult educators at various levels; (3) involving a more diverse range of stakeholders and organisations; (4) putting the learner at centre stage; (5) using participatory approaches; (6) integrating gender concerns into adult educator training; (7) developing new models to promote adult learning; (8) initiating research and evaluation of training programs; and (9) using open/distance learning methodologies for training adult educators.
The workshop report is indexed at TD/IRD 88.379. Individual papers are indexed from TD/TNC 83.85 to TD/TNC 83.90. Show less

Authors: Dighe, Anita

Corporate authors: UNESCO Institute for Education (UIE)

Conference name: CONFINTEA Mid-Term Review Meeting

Date: 2005

Geographic subjects: Asia; India; Pakistan ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Conference paper

Subjects: Quality; Outcomes; Teaching and learning ... [+] Show more
Recognition of prior learning and experiences as a means to re-integrate early school leavers into education and training

Many early school leavers have acquired a range of skills and competences outside of formal education which are tra ... Show more
Many early school leavers have acquired a range of skills and competences outside of formal education which are transferable and potentially valuable on the labour market. At the same time, addressing the qualification deficits of young people is particularly important as early school leaving is a fundamental contributing factor to social exclusion later in life. The aim of this paper is therefore to summarise the types of approaches and methods used across the world to assess and recognise learning early school leavers have acquired in non-formal and informal settings. The paper also discusses the rationale for providing opportunities for early school leavers to have their prior learning recognised and elaborates on the potential benefits for them. The paper ends with an analysis of the availability of such mechanisms for young early school leavers, highlights issues that need to be taken into consideration when engaging this target group in mainstream practices and elaborates on the future prospects.
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Authors: Ulicna, Daniela; Nevala, Anne-Mari; Hawley, Jo

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Australia; Asia; Europe ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: Background paper (Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2012)

Subjects: Pathways; Youth; Teaching and learning ... [+] Show more