A Proliferation of Self-described 'International' Schools in Sri Lanka: A Response to Globalisation

Abstract

Globalisation is influencing educational reform in Sri Lanka. One significant, yet controversial response to globalisation revolves around Language policy, which advocates the reintroduction of English as a medium of instruction and impacts on both the public and private sectors. In practice, the response by the private sector has been most dramatic with the rapid increase in the numbers of English medium, self-described ‘international’ schools. These schools are diverse in nature except for the mode of instruction, which is English. This new breed of ‘international’ school is explored in light of the Sri Lankan context, the ongoing links between Sri Lanka and English as a medium of instruction, and the public and private language responses to globalisation. Ostensibly, this private language response appears to be ‘Language-driven’ while it could be argued that these new schools are a reaction to ‘competitiveness-‘ and ‘finance-driven’ reforms. These changes in education, however, have implications for Sri Lankan society with respect to issues of quality education, cultural identity, social equity and national harmony.