- Online system mooted for teacher transfers & promotions
President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared that no one would be permitted to disrupt school education between 7.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m., adding that he has directed the Attorney General (AG) to consider further measures to ensure this.
The President also requested the Opposition not to support acts of sabotage.
Furthermore, the President mentioned that he has discussed with the Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha regarding the future process of teacher transfers and promotions through an online system.
“In the next 20-25 years, we should aim to raise our Gross Domestic Product from $ 85 billion to at least $ 350 billion. Today, schools must uphold discipline. Strikes in schools are detrimental and unjustified. Some trade unions have requested a revision and additional salary increases, which is surprising considering that teachers have already received two salary increments. Recently, teachers went on strike, abandoning classrooms to protest at the Colombo Fort Railway Station. University students and others joined, demonstrating and attempting to reach the Presidential Secretariat, even amidst tear gas. Such actions do not benefit the teaching profession. This situation did not occur in Tamil and Muslim schools, where educational activities for the children continued. Similarly, international schools and private schools maintained their educational activities effectively. However, Sinhala medium schools had to face disruptions. Children from rural areas attend these schools.
“I question whether this is also a responsibility of the teaching profession. Teachers of Tamil and Muslim schools recognised the importance of education. When Sinhala medium schools in places like Nuwara Eliya were disrupted, education continued in Tamil medium schools. Such disparities should not exist in our country. In certain schools, teachers faced threats, preventing them from attending. People fault the Government for its lack of action and accuse the Opposition of backing such incidents.
“This situation is troubling. No one, whether directly or indirectly, should disrupt school education from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. I have requested the AG to propose measures regarding this issue. I discussed with the Education Minister regarding the possibility of implementing a computerised teacher transfer system. Fairness must prevail in promotions and in the treatment of teachers. Moving forward, we will take stronger measures on this front, even if it may provoke dissent. I particularly appeal to the Opposition not to endorse actions that sabotage education”.
Meanwhile, Dr. Premajayantha added: “In the upcoming education reforms, efforts are underway to ensure that university graduates have ample job opportunities without the need for undue influence. These reforms aim to produce graduates well-suited for the job market.”