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Volunteer
teachers in same place despite pledges These 800 have been made permanent on the grounds they had served in difficult areas while the others have been reportedly told they have been excluded from being made permanent as they had served in less difficult areas. The group of volunteer teachers have carried on their protest campaign for more than the 36 days in front of the Education Ministry building, Isurupaya. The protestors include some teachers with over 15 years service. The Ministry authorities have turned a blind eye to the campaigners, who couldn't even celebrate the New Year due to the ongoing protest at Isurupaya. "We did not keep monks with us as they were obliged to take part in rituals but even they were ready to stay with us," one campaigner said. Ven. Walpola Sarana Thera, a fasting monk of the protesting group said the teachers' request is for the Ministry to make them permanent which would cost the government the small sum of about Rs. 1500 each. "We were taken into service saying there were vacancies. But now all the vacancies are said to be filled. Before coming into power the UPFA promised our problems would be solved but with the advent of the graduates' issue, our issue was forgotten with priority being given to the graduates," Ven. Sarana Thera said. He said it was unfair to categorise volunteer teachers on the basis of the areas they serve. Until the intervention of the All Ceylon Teachers Trade Union Federation the protest demonstration had been totally ignored by the Education Ministry. At the discussions the federation had with Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Tara de Mel and Additional Secretary S. L. Gunawardena on April 20 it was reportedly decided the volunteer teachers' issue would be considered after May 31, on which date the Government's programme of awarding teaching posts to graduates will be completed. "According to the discussions we had with the Ministry Secretary the volunteer teachers will be made permanent following an examination they have to sit, " federation president Mahinda Jayasinghe told The Sunday Times. Mr. Gunawardena however said there is an excess of volunteer teachers in the island. "In a certain school there are only 58 students but there are 8 teachers there. Some of them are volunteer teachers. So how can we make them permanent them if there is a surplus of teachers?" he said. Mr. Gunawardena added there was no possibility for teachers with over 15 years service to remain non-permanent as such teachers were made permanent in terms of a circular issued in 1991. |
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