© 
INVESTIGATION OF HOW BEST 
THE DISTANCE TEACHING 
METHODOLOGIES ADOPTED BY OUSL 
CAN CATER TO MEET 
THE TRAINING NEEDS OF 
THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA 
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Textile & Clothing Technology of 
the University of Moratuwa in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree 
L. S. A. PERERA 
of 
MASTER OF SCIENCE 
CLOTHING STUDIES 
in 
V 
Department of Textile & Clothing Technology 
University of Moratuwa 
Sri Lanka 
U n i v e r s i t v o f M o r a t u w a 
8 2 7 1 7 
§ 2 7 2 ? 
The work included in the dissertation in part or whole, has not been 
submitted for any other academic qualification at any institution 
L.S.A.Perera 
(Candidate ) 
^Ariadurai 
( Supervisor) 
Abstract 
As apparel exports occupy the number one spot in export earnings for Sri Lanka, 
the clothing industry enjoys a dominant position in the Sri Lankan economy. It is 
also the major employment source in Sri Lanka. 
With the abolition of quota system in 2005, when all apparel imports and exports 
will become open market, unless the Sri Lankan manufacturer can give what the 
buyer requires at a competitive price, acceptable quality and reasonable time, he 
won't be able to compete with other countries. Thus Sri Lanka will have to gear to 
face the challenges that are ahead. One of the areas where the industry needs input 
is the availability of trained and skilled personnel. 
The concept of distance education that is practised by the OUSL, which is based 
on non-contiguous communication readily fits into the atmosphere in which the 
Sri Lankan apparel industry operates. Though the basic concept is ideal for the 
industry there are many lapses in the programmes, which need to be addressed by 
the University. 
Education and training must develop ways to cope with increasing needs of 
updating and retraining, as well mastering completely new situations and 
developments. This work investigates how the programmes conducted by the 
Department of Textile and Apparel Technology of the Open University of Sri 
Lanka is in a position to meet these training needs of the future Sri Lankan apparel 
industry. 
In this study number of employers and employees of the industry and students of 
OUSL were interviewed to investigate how best the educational programmes 
offered by the University could meet the training and development needs of the 
apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Views of the industry people also obtained. 
Number of suggestions and recommendations are made based on this study. 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
My sincere thanks to, 
My supervisor Dr. S. A. Ariadurai for valuable advice, academic guidance and 
dedication extended. 
Mr. D.P.D. Dissanayake (Head), Department of Textile & Clothing Technology, 
University of Moratuwa, Dipl. Ing. N. L. Wanigatunge for guidance and support given 
in preparing this dissertation. 
Dr. W. A. W. Wimalaweera (Head), Department of Textile & Apparel Technology, 
OUSL, for providing the necessary information to carry out this work. 
Industry experts, Senior Managers of the Apparel Industry and students of the OUSL for 
providing very important information for this study. 
My wife Hema for the support and encouragement given. 
Table of Contents 
CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION 1 
1.1 Sri Lankan Apparel Industry 1 
1.1.1. History 1 
1.1.2 The Present Status of the Industry 1 
1.1.3 Challenges Ahead 4 
1.2 Objectives of the Study 6 
1.3 Significance of the Study 7 
1.4 Summary 8 
CHAPTER 2-LITERATURE REVIEW 9 
2.1 Introduction 9 
2.2 Training and Development needs of the Industry 9 
2.3 Distance Education as a Tool for Education 10 
2.4 Distance Education in Sri Lanka 13 
2.5 Components of Study System 14 
2.5.1 Printed Material 14 
2.5.2 Audio and Video Tapes 14 
2.5.3 Computers 14 
2.5.4 Face to face teaching 14 
2.5.5 Student Evaluation 14 
2.6 Academic Department of OUSL 15 
2.7 Programmes offered by the Department of Textile and Apparel Technology 
of the Open University of Sri Lanka 16 
2.8 Industrial Studies Programme 17 
2.8.1 Certificate Programme 17 
2.8.2. Diploma Programme 19 
2.8.3 Degree Programme 20 
2.9 Summary 22 
Chapter 0 3 - M E T H O D O L O G Y 23 
3.1 Introduction 23 
3.2 Research design and organization 24 
3.3 Sample population and methods of data collection 24 
3.4 Summary 25 
CHAPTER 4 - DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 26 
4.1 Introduction 26 
4.2 Data Analysis - Training Needs of the Industry 26 
4.2 .1 . Management Staff In the Factory 27 
4.2.2 Training Policy 29 
4.3 Data Analysis - Programmes offered by the OUSL 32 
CHAPTER 5 - DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 40 
5.1 Introduction 40 
5.2 Development of Knowledge 4 A 
5.3 Development of Skills 41 
REFERENCES 44 
List of Figures 
• 
• 
Figure 1.2 Apparel Industrial Production - Value Added in Industry - 03 
Figure 1.3 Employment Statistics of Sri Lankan Garment Industry - 04 
Figure 4.1 Management Staff - Percentage of total - 28 
Figure 4.2 Students Numbers from 2002 / 2003 - 33 
Figure 4.3 Backgrounds of the students Analysed Based 
on Employment - 34 
Figure 4.4 Backgrounds of the Students Analysed Based on 
Qualifications - 35 
Figure 4.5 Students Response on Specific Course - 36 
Figure 1.1 Apparel and Textile Industrial Production of Sri Lanka. - 03 
List of Tables 
Courses in Degree Programme and their objectives 
Staff Breakdown in Factories Analyesed 
Qualification of management Staff across Various 
Management grades 
Number of Students registered