News

PSC action for errant teachers

As unrest continued in several Colombo schools, Education Minister Karunasena Kodituwakku appointed a probe committee to find out who was responsible and warned that tough action would be taken.

The Minister said those found responsible, if they were on the school staff, would be brought before the Public Services Commission for disciplinary action.

The probe committee was appointed after a number of incidents where disputes have flared between principals and teachers along with parents and past pupils.

In the latest incident the Royal Principal Lakshman Gomes has complained to the Moratuwa police, blaming four of his teachers for the Tuesday night attack on his Katubedda residence. The statements of those who were allegedly involved in the attack have been recorded by the Moratuwa Police.

At Vishakha Vidyalaya, where trouble persisted for weeks, the principal was transferred following agitation by a section of the teachers and parents. The teachers alleged that the principal was misusing powers.

A similar dispute has arisen at St. Paul's Milagiriya between the principal and a section of teachers, past pupils and parents. The principal has claimed her moves to bring about more discipline and dynamism in the school had angered the protesting sections. She said some past pupils were misusing perks while the past pupils said the principal was misusing her powers.