• Points out practical difficulties in keeping school premises clean 

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) expressed concerns about the directives issued by education authorities to schools regarding dengue and chikungunya prevention in schools, adding that holding school principals solely accountable for dengue prevention is unfair.

Speaking to the media regarding a circular on the matter, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that the circular mentions that school principals should be personally held accountable if an environment suitable for dengue or chikungunya has been created in their respective schools. He further quoted the circular as saying that legal action could also be initiated against such school principals.

Stalin added that while it is true that a school principal is a person who takes the overall responsibility regarding a school, when it comes to keeping a school clean, there are practical concerns such as some school premises being large, lack of laborers to perform cleaning duties, and the lack of support from students’ parents. He observed that in such a context, instead of holding school principals accountable, responsible parties in relevant areas’ Urban and Municipal Councils should be held accountable in this regard.