Schoolchildren used to haul world-record bridal train: CTU demands action
View(s):The use of schoolchildren to create a world record for a couple getting married in the Central Province (CP), has come under heavy criticism by the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU). Last week, around 250 children from Alawathugoda Primary School, Gannoruwa, Kandy, were made to stand on the road for hours, to carry the longest saree train for a bride and groom who wanted to record their marriage in the Guinness Book.
The CTU said that using children during school hours was wrong and that, such acts should not be encouraged by the school authority. CTU Gen.Sec. Joseph Stalin said the children had been made to stand on the streets for hours in the scorching sun and their academic activities canceled for that day.
He added that, in recent times, using schoolchildren for political propaganda activities has become the norm. “We vehemently condemn such acts,” he said. The CTU demands that the Ministry of Education (MoE) probe the matter and take serious action against those officials who permitted the children to be used for the event. The CP Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake was the chief guest at the wedding.
- Chrishanthi Christopher