Building Nations One Mind At A Time : The Power Of Education | Harsha Alles | TEDxYouth@GCNegombo

TL;DR

Sri Lanka must analyze its past and current situation to overcome challenges, including the brain drain caused by free education and healthcare, and find a sustainable middle path for development.

Transcript

[Applause] ladies and gentlemen as Sri Lankans we have had many challenging years in the recent past we've gone through Wars tsunamis but but above all last year we had a dreadful experience when the country was declared bankrupt for us to come out of this we have always been a very resilient Nation but for us to come out of this we need to go back... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka has faced and overcome various challenges, including wars and tsunamis, but the recent bankruptcy and brain drain are significant concerns.
• 🥶 Free education and healthcare have had positive outcomes, but their sustainability needs to be carefully evaluated.
• 🖕 The loss of foreign exchange due to the brain drain and the pandemic has highlighted the need for a middle path approach.
• 🤳 Balancing the need for support and self-sufficiency is crucial in education, healthcare, and general living.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has free education and healthcare impacted Sri Lanka?

Free education and healthcare have provided benefits such as low infant mortality and high literacy rates. However, the brain drain caused by free education has led to a loss of valuable foreign exchange for the country.

Q: Is it fair for Sri Lankans to use free education and then leave for better opportunities abroad?

While Sri Lankans have the right to seek better opportunities, it raises concerns about the fairness of utilizing resources for education and leaving, contributing to the brain drain problem. A balanced approach needs to be found.

Q: What should be the future approach to free education and healthcare in Sri Lanka?

Free education should be provided up to a certain level, especially at the school level. Beyond that, it may not be sustainable, and students should be prepared to take on student loans for higher education. Similarly, free healthcare should be targeted to deserving individuals.

Q: How can Sri Lanka overcome its current crisis and become sustainable?

Sri Lanka needs to tread a middle path in various aspects, including education, healthcare, and general living. This means finding a balance between providing necessary support and encouraging self-sufficiency. Producing local goods and encouraging innovation is crucial for sustainability.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sri Lanka was once a self-sufficient and successful nation, but the decision to open up the economy in the late 1970s had unintended consequences.

• Free education and healthcare have benefited the country with low infant and maternal mortality rates and a high literacy rate.

• However, the loss of foreign exchange due to the pandemic and brain drain has highlighted the need to find a sustainable approach, including limited free education and healthcare.