​(a) The trend today is multiculturalism, rather than mono-culturalism, or ethnocentrism. In Sri Lanka, we are becoming increasingly conscious of cultural pluralism. In education, we must plan ways and means to make the different groups conscious of each others’ differences in a positive way for unity. (b) According to Banks (1994) multicultural education is an education for freedom. He argues that each of us becomes culturally encapsulated during our socialisation in childhood. We accept the assumptions of our own community, culture and internalise its values, views of the universe, misconceptions and stereotypes. (c) But Fife (1993) sees this as an essential premise to ground multiculturalism on. He says that true multiculturalism or inter-culturalism can emanate only from becoming conscious of one’s own identity.

​Banks (1984) quoting Theodorson and Theodorson (1969) describes culture as “the way of life of a social group; the total human, man-made environment.” (d) But he goes on to observe that “although culture is often defined in a way that includes all the material and non-material aspects of group life, most social scientists today emphasise the intangible, symbolic and ideational aspect of culture”. (e) Multicultural education according to Fife (1993) who quotes Roy Jenkins, Home Secretary, who expressed himself eloquently in May 1996 is “...equal opportunity, accompanied by cultural diversity in an atmosphere of mutual tolerance”.

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Reference

Banks, J.A. (1994) An Introduction to multicultural education. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

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Fife, A. (1993) Multi-cultural or anti-racist education: the Irrelevant Debate. In A.Fife and P.Figuroa (Eds) Education for Diversity: The Challenge for a New Era. London: Routledge.

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Theodorson, G.A. and Theodorson, A.G. (1969) in J.A. Banks. An Introduction to Multicultural Education. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Swann, M (1983) Education for All. H.M.S.O In A.Fife and P.Figuroa (Eds) Education for Diversity: The Challenge for a New Era. London: Routledge.