News
Teacher jobs tussle continues
View(s):By Sajeniya Sathanandan
Development officers working as teachers have decided to continue to raise their demand for permanent school teacher positions which the government had previously promised, according to unions.
In August, the Supreme Court dismissed four Fundamental Rights applications filed by a group of development officers.
Development officers had been asked to work as teachers during the coronavirus disease pandemic when there was a shortage of teachers.
During Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s rule, 52,000 jobless grads were given development officer posts and some were assigned to schools.
Sitting for an exam after many years of service is seen as unnecessary, while 1,608 development officers prefer to continue with their higher education such as a postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE).
Development officers hold a protest close to the Presidential Secretariat
Unions claim that parents, students, and society already recognise them as teachers. They feel that suddenly changing their status would cause social disruption.
All Ceylon School Development Officers’ Union National Organiser Aravinda Dissanayake said that when they met Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, she agreed to increase the age limit to 45 years in the future. A Gazette notice will be issued. However, the officers are expected to pass the exam.
The incumbent government refused the terms of this previous settlement. Mr Dissanayake said a settlement was reached following a lawsuit when Susil Premajayantha was state minister for education reforms. The settlement agreed to teacher positions in the 2:2 category if they completed the PGDE.
Lanka School Development Officers’ Union Viraj Manaranga claimed the protest stemmed from the previous government’s undertaking allowing them to continue as teachers. A similar situation occurred when G. L. Peiris was education minister. Mr Premajayantha had said that the State Service Commission only makes recommendations.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya acknowledged their demands and promised that if an additional budget allocation were made for salaries, the opposition would support it.
Mr. Manaranga said teachers work until 3.30 p.m. and then perform the duties of a development officer until 3.45 p.m. Having provided such a service for six years and expecting to sit for an entry-level teacher exam to become a permanent teacher, they feel the quality and recognition of the current position and experience are being questioned.
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