Teacher in hot water due to Facebook post; CTU takes up defence
View(s):Last week, the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) took up the case of a teacher who received a show cause letter from the Sri Jayawardenapura Zonal Office Director after posting a comment on the social media.
The teacher from Buwanekaba Vidyalaya in Sri Jayawardenapura had commented on the difficulties she had encountered at the Zonal Office while trying to get personal matters taken care of, and she had shared her frustration on Facebook.
She said despite visiting the Sri Jayawardenapura Zonal Office several times she was not attended to, and the letter she had handed over remained unopened for nearly two weeks.
The Facebook post had been picked up by the Zonal Director who demanded anexplanation within 14 days, failing which disciplinary action would be taken against her.
In a letter to the Zonal Director, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin had justified the teacher’s action. He saidshe was only expressing her opinion and had every right to do so.
The letter further said if action was pursued against the teacher, the CTU would not hesitateto file action in the Supreme Court under the fundamental rights of persons.
Mr Stalin also recalled a similar incident in 2012 at Mahanama College, where the Supreme Court ruled in that teacher’s favour. (CC)