Features

Can outcome-based education get to the heart of the matter?

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/15

by Sudesh Mantillake

This article is a continuation of views and opinions expressed in this forum on the quality assurance process in Sri Lankan university education. In this article, reflecting on my academic training and personal experiences, I mainly question the interpretation of “outcome-based education” (OBE) and the emphasis given to it in the Manuals prepared for Institutional Review and Undergraduate Study Programme Review of Sri Lankan Universities and Higher Education Institutions published by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2015 as part of a World Bank-funded project, currently under implementation. Based on my personal experiences as a university lecturer, who teaches dance and performance, I assert that UGC should revisit its approach to measuring quality and outcomes, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.

Outcome Versus Process-Based Education

The Manual for Review of Undergraduate Study Programmes defines OBE as “an educational theory that bases teaching learning and assessment components of an educational system around intended outcomes to ensure achievement of the [Intended Learning Outcomes – ILOs] by every student at the end of the educational experience.” As an educational theory, we can debate, agree/disagree on OBE. Indeed, OBE may be applicable to some educational experiences. For instance, after teaching dance anatomy, at the end of the course, we can agree that students should be able to know the importance of the spine for a dancer. However, OBE would not help to measure or assess students’ creativity and emotional maturity. As Farzana Haniffa previously mentioned in this column, educational outcomes could instead be described as “a process of preparation essential for the thriving of students, for the encouragement of their creativity and for the nurturing of their skills.” However, in the current quality assurance process, OBE is narrowly defined, and we are forced to comply with it across the board, with little consideration of its applicability to the setting or discipline, reflected in the manuals for institutional review, degree programmes, and other documents developed by universities and faculties to fulfill “quality assurance” needs.

In the Manual of Institutional Review of Sri Lankan Universities and Higher Education Institutions, under Quality Assessment, in section 3.3 on Criteria and Corresponding Best Practices, Criterion 1 (Governance and Management) specifies that “the success of the University/HEI is dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting mechanisms. This is output and outcome based rather than input or process based.” And in Section 4.2 on Standards, Examples of Evidence and Score Guide, under Criterion 1 (Governance and Management), the Manual states that universities should make sure that there is “a strong commitment by the University/HEI leadership to reflect upon performance, output/outcomes rather than processes and inputs.” In these two instances, this manual not only emphasises an “outcome-based” approach but also discredits and rejects “process based” approaches to education. Here, “outcome” is defined narrowly as if it is an instant product that comes out of a factory. When universities develop their own guidelines based on this manual, they define “outcome” using criteria such as employability, starting salary, annual salary, etc. Sometimes, the outcome is also coupled with so-called performance targets. Hitting the target might be good in battles and wars, but as I believe, humanities education should oppose hitting educational targets and encourage a more holistic and collaborative learning process.

Outcome-Based Education and the Heart of the Matter

I teach Fine Arts. In Fine Arts, too, we are concerned about “quality” and ensuring that we create a quality outcome. For example, this quality outcome could be an emotional experience from an immersive theatre play. These types of outcomes cannot be quantified. For some, the effect of the outcome could be immediate, whereas for others, the emotional experience may have an effect years later. However, in Sri Lankan universities, in the name of quality assurance, we are pushed by UGC to adhere to a very different “quality” and “outcome,” which goes fundamentally against the way we perceive quality and outcome in humanities and social science education.

Quality and outcome in our fields cannot always be observable and measurable as expected in OBE. This was clearly identified and described in a report published by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2013, which identifies humanities and social sciences as the heart of the matter, the keeper of the republic. According to the report:

“The humanities and social sciences are not merely elective, nor are they elite or elitist. They go beyond the immediate and instrumental to help us understand the past and the future. They are necessary and they require our support in challenging times as well as in times of prosperity. They are critical to our pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness, as described by our nation’s founders. They are The Heart of the Matter.”

The value of the humanities and social sciences cannot be evaluated by immediate results. The effect of a course in our discplines might not be observable at the end of the semester. They fulfill a critical role in civilization, for its quest for life, liberty, and happiness. These qualitative aspects fostered through humanities and social sciences education cannot be observable and measurable at the end of the semester. There is also an irony (maybe it is not an irony) that while UGC and Quality Assurance Council embrace the processes of quality assurance and accreditation emanating from the global north, they do not consider as seriously the critiques of OBE that also come from the global north. If one takes the “heart of the matter” seriously, quality and outcome as operationalised in the humanities and social sciences cannot be ignored.

Outcome-Based Quality Assurance as a Spectacle

I see the quality assurance process in Sri Lankan universities as a spectacle where we perform different roles. According to the script, the outcome is expected as a spectacle, but the creative process is neglected. Deviating from traditional theatre studies, performance studies as a discipline focuses on various aspects of performance in everyday life, including everyday performances within academia. Performance studies scholar Shannon Jackson, in her book Professing Performance (2004), shows how individuals who have become members of the “professional-managerial class” (PMC) perform within corporatised university education in the United States. She reminds us that some university academics also belong to this PMC. Through its quality assurance process, UGC is creating a PMC in Sri Lanka. While the PMC writes the script for the spectacle of quality assurance, others have to follow, with or without rehearsals.

Educational outcomes are not always “products.” In my personal experience as a teacher of dance and performance, rather than the final spectacle, I value the creative process in performance. For me, finding a creative process or processes is the outcome of fine arts education. Here, I am reminded of uncritical spectacular performances where we put our energy on the final “product,” how it looks, without really reflecting on what we are doing. As young dancers, we were often asked by governments and other organizations to do “multi-cultural” performances to showcase ethnic harmony. As a Sinhala dancer, in the 1990s, I have taken part in many “multi-cultural shows” that showcased different cultures in Sri Lanka. Although we were Sinhala dancers, we were also problematically expected to represent Tamil people and culture on stage, apart from Sinhala. These multi-cultural dances were not very difficult to choreograph and perform as there was a formula for a multi-cultural dance performance. For example, the choreography would first introduce the uniqueness of Sinhala dance and then the characteristics of Tamil dance, and then finally, the performance would end with a group dance where both Sinhala and “Tamil” dancers perform together to the same beat. They were beautiful spectacles, but did they really help to further reconciliation or harmony?

The spectacle of creating attractive documents for quality assurance purposes will not really assure quality in our education system. Like multi-cultural shows that give a superficial impression of the multi-cultural nature of our society, the quality assurance spectacle provides a superficial and hollow impression of quality in our universities. This spectacular nature of both quality assurance and multi-cultural shows is not innocent. We cheat ourselves and allow dominant ideologies to run over us in both cases. We use various public and private funds to perform these spectacles. As we use our resources and energy for these superficial spectacles of quality assurance, we lose the real opportunity to improve our education.

In conclusion, humanities and social sciences should be taken seriously and considered the heart of the matter in the discourse of quality in education. They fulfill a critical role by reminding us of the meaning of life, freedom, equity, equality, and happiness, “outcomes” that are not always observable and measurable at the end of the semester, as expected in OBE.

(Sudesh Mantillake teaches at the Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya)

Kuppi is a politics and pedagogy happening on the margins of the lecture hall that parodies, subverts, and simultaneously reaffirms social hierarchies.

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Features

The hard challenge of clinching a political settlement in the Middle East

Published

20 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Bruised hearts: Displaced Palestinian civilians in the Gaza.(Photo by Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Despite some sections of the Trump administration persisting with the view that the possibility could not be entirely ruled out of there being a diplomatic solution to the current US-Iran hostilities in West Asia, the skeptic could not be blamed for thinking otherwise. The intensity, scale and frequency of the tit-for-tat strikes by the antagonists over the past few days against selected military targets and civilian infrastructure in particular in West Asia make the adoption of this stance excusable.

The continuing hostilities render the mentioning of the MOU signed between the warring parties in mid-June a laughable matter. While it could very well be that the foes are wishing privately for a cessation of hostilities before long, what seems to be uppermost on their minds right now is to negotiate with each other from a position of strength. This strategy compels them to incapacitate each other militarily to the extent possible, lest they have to concede too much to each other during negotiations. Hence the stepped-up hostilities.

However, even on the question of there being a negotiated political settlement in the West Asian theatre in the longer term, the skeptic could come to be seen as scoring over the optimist. Developments on the ground account for this.

At the time of writing Israel’s Netanyahu government is going ahead in fairly care-free fashion with the establishment of more Jewish settlements in the Gaza and the West Bank, and it’s all happening under the apparently complacent gaze of the US. In fact, some quarters estimate that Israel is in control of some 65% of the Gaza Strip. Ethnic cleansing, that is, is being drastically stepped-up.

Accordingly, in terms of the power relations of West Asia, the world is almost back to the status quo of the late forties of the last century when the state of Israel was established and the Palestinians were reduced to a microscopic minority in the land they came to inhabit. Therefore, even the impartial observer would be compelled to ask: ‘Will a negotiated peace be ever possible in the Middle East?’

The humanist in the observer would prefer to answer this question in the affirmative and it is indeed the ideal stance to adopt considering the staggering human and material costs of the conflict. But the way ahead to peace could be expected to be highly hazardous and arduous. Among other odds, it would also prove an uphill endeavour to win minds and hearts.

The US’ Trump administration would need to be counted out in this pursuit. This is on account of the fact that it has been far too wayward in its management of West Asian affairs in particular over the past couple of years. Given its unpredictable character it is a matter for conjecture whether it could be counted on to live up to its commitments.

Moreover, Israel could be expected to ‘go it alone’ in the Middle East regardless of whether US help is coming or otherwise. It has indicated as much in recent times and Israel could be doubted on this score only at the doubter’s peril. Because time and again Israel has demonstrated that it could steadfastly defend its interests even single-handedly in the Middle East. History bears this out.

However, a durable alliance with the US would stand Israel in good stead. On the matter of military and intelligence assistance, for example, the US’s help proved invaluable for Israel in the past and going forward this is bound to be so as well. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Trump administration would give up on Israel, considering that a strong Israel is crucial for the furtherance of the US’ strategic and economic interests in West Asia.

But whether the above factors would have a considerable bearing on the question of working out a durable solution to the West Asian tangle is an entirely different matter. Israel, as in the case of the Palestinian enclaves, is acutely security conscious and would need to satisfy itself fully that it could live in a security environment that would guarantee its complete safety, going forward.

The Middle East is badly in need of another peace effort on the lines of the Oslo Accords of the mid-nineties that brought the key actors together and helped hammer out a solution that addressed some of their notable concerns. To be sure, that process did not prove to be the ideal answer to the tangle, but it yielded some respite to the region and drove home that one-time sworn foes could indeed negotiate with a degree of success. The West Bank authority, although falling short of fulfilling some key Palestinian aspirations, is testimony that a degree of success is possible if the intent is right.

Given the current realities of West Asia, peace-making is bound to be an uphill challenge. The violence faced in recent times by the Palestinian community, in particular, has been nothing less than mind-numbing. Merciless has been the violence visited on them by the Israeli side. In such circumstances, durable peace in the region could smack of an idealist’s dream.

Nevertheless, there needs to be urgently, a meeting of minds over the divides. The US would need to be counted out as an honest broker in bringing the sides together but the rest of the West would do well to step up to the challenge.

In this exercise the onus would be on the world’s democracies to take the initiative and doggedly stay the course. An acceptable combination would be the EU and the UN. Given their credentials, the main sides in West Asia ought to find them the least controversial.

Even if the relevant institutional and political arrangements could be shored up to take a reconciliation process forward, winning hearts and minds for the peace drive would prove a grueling challenge. Over the past few years in particular tens of thousands of hearts and minds on both sides of the divide have been bruised badly in the runaway murderous violence that has come to define the Middle East.

These badly scarred personalities would need to experience healing without much delay. It is therefore a multi-faceted challenge that is at hand. Since wide-ranging expertise would be needed in the healing process, people’s participation in peace-making, ranging over the divides, would need to be made a durable reality. It will be a time for enthroning humanity and ensuring the rejection of all forms of violence and coercion.

Features

Amazing Thailand …right here in Colombo

Published

20 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

For many Sri Lankans, Thailand is the go-to holiday — beaches, temples, food, and that famous warm hospitality.

In fact, I’ve been to Amazing Thailand 24 times myself, and was honoured with the Friends of Thailand International Media Award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for promoting Thai tourism.

The good news I have for you today is that you don’t even need a passport to get a taste of Amazing Thailand.

The Royal Thai Embassy, in Colombo, is bringing a vibrant slice of Thailand, to the city of Colombo, with Thai Festival 2026 — a cultural experience like never before.

Whether you are an avid enthusiast of Thai culture, a total novice, or simply just interested in exploring foreign cultures, Thai Festival 2026 is going to be the perfect opportunity for you to get more than just a glimpse into one of the most celebrated cultural heritages in South East Asia. And ENTRANCE IS FREE.

The festival will be held on the 1st and 2nd of August, 2026, at Siam Nivasa, 43, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 7, and the East Parking Area, of the Colombo Municipal Council, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Both days will be full of live entertainment, and dispersed throughout with Thai cultural displays, including exhilarating traditional dance performances and breathtaking Muay Thai demonstrations.

Exploring art and craft specific to Thailand, tasting irresistible authentic Thai cuisine, and playing arcade games, are just a few more fun-filled events available for visitors at the festival premises.

An array of Thai products will also be available for purchase.

While at the festival, you will find Sri Lankan Alumni from Thai universities sharing their experiences with you and willing to answer any questions you might have, related to studying abroad in Thailand.

You can also register for the Muay Thai workshop that will be happening on the 7th and 8th of August, 2026, in Colombo.

Irresistible authentic Thai cuisine

Visitors can also stand a chance to win traditional Thai souvenirs, get exclusive photo opportunities, and, the big one — to enter the raffle draw, at the end of each day, for the grand prize of an all-inclusive round trip to Thailand.

Be sure to avail yourself of this exceptional opportunity and add a cultural spin to your weekend.

To keep up with the latest updates on Thai Festival 2026, head over to the Thai Festival official social media pages.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo official webpage:

https://colombo.thaiembassy.org

Official social media:

Facebook: @RTEColombo

Instagram: @thaiembassysrilanka

Thai Festival official social media:

Facebook: Thai Festival in Colombo

Instagram: @thaifestival_colombo

TikTok: @thaifestival.incolombo

Features

Thicker, stronger hair …

Published

20 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hair fall, in this heat, can be so frustrating, and noticing a thin patch is even more worrying. The good news is … yes, with a little care and kitchen ingredients, you can nourish your scalp and support healthy regrowth.

Try these four easy home remedies … even our grandmothers trusted:

* Coconut Oil and Curry Leaves Tonic:

Warm 04 tablespoons of coconut oil, with a handful of curry leaves, till the leaves turn black. Cool, strain, and massage into scalp 02-03 times a week. Leave for 01 hour, or overnight.

Why:

Coconut oil deeply nourishes, while curry leaves help strengthen roots and add shine.

* Onion Juice for Spot Treatment:

With cotton, dab the juice of 01 small onion, directly on the thin/bald patches. Leave for 20-30 minutes, and then wash with a mild shampoo. Use twice a week.

Why:

Rich in sulfur, onion juice helps boost blood circulation to the scalp.

* Aloe Vera and Castor Oil Mask:

Mix 02 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 tablespoon castor oil and apply to the scalp, focusing on thinning areas. Leave for 45 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.

Why:

Aloe vera soothes the scalp, while castor oil coats hair to make it look thicker.

* Fenugreek and Curd Strengthening Pack:

You will need 02 tablespoons fenugreek seeds, soaked overnight, and 02 tablespoons plain curd.

Grind to a paste, apply to scalp for 30 minutes, and then wash.

Why:

Fenugreek strengthens strands and reduces breakage.

Extra Tips for Healthy Hair:

Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp.

Eat iron and protein rich foods: greens, dhal, eggs, fish.

Use lukewarm water, not hot.

Be gentle when brushing and drying.