Free education at a price
An anti-corruption body has called on the Government to put a stop to the collection of funds to admit students into public schools, despite an official ban imposed by the Education Ministry.
The Coalition against Corruption (CAC) this week said that, despite complaints to the Government of this practice, they didn’t get a favorable reply, while funds continue to be collected from parents around the country.
“Admissions to Advanced Level (A/L) classes and Grade 1 are in the process. However, what is very clear in both these processes is the corruption prevalent within the schools. Even though complained to the relevant authorities, they have failed to look into the issue and put a stop to this corrupt system,” said CAC convener, Saman Rathnapriya.
The CAC is a federation involving various education groups and other unions who voice their disapproval to bribery and corruptions taking place in the country.
Mr. Rathnapriya pointed out that there are circulars introduced by the Government where it clearly states that school authorities could only charge for services and facilities of the school.
Thus, according to the circular, an A/L student is required to pay Rs 5 monthly, which amounts to just Rs 60 annually. A primary student has to pay Rs 36 annually.
“However there is a question if the school authorities are only charging this amount. There are instances where a leading Buddhist school in Colombo charged Rs 12,120 to admit a student to an A/L class in the Math and Science stream and also a school in Nugegoda has charged Rs 9,000 for the admission of students,” said Mr. Rathnapriya explaining that in some schools parents are made to pay over Rs 100,000.
He said that, when the unions questioned the Education Minister, he confirmed that it is acceptable to charge about Rs 250 from students.
“Even the minister himself has violated the laws of the country. He has encouraged this unlawful act that is unacceptable to these helpless parents,” he said.
CAC convener and Ceylon Teachers’ Union’s General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that, even thought there are places available for parents and others to complain regarding such matters, the protests are in vain.
“The Minister has also asked to direct the complaints to him, but he failed to reply to a letter that was forwarded by trade unionists,” he said.
Other places where the public could direct their complaints are the Education Investigative Unit, Presidential Investigative Unit and the Bribery and Corruption Commission.
Mr. Stalin said that despite having such places students and parents are made to pay for various occasions.
“There is a circular in 2008, where it clearly states that Old Girls/Boys Associations are prohibited from soliciting money from current students. However, these students are made to sell tickets for parades and other occasions,” he said.
Also addressing the issue, National Principals’ Union’s General Secretary Parakrama Weerasinghe, said that, even though there is a severe lack of desks and chairs for students in rural schools, official residences of principals in established schools are given luxuriously furnished houses.
“There are some schools where they teach only three periods per day, because of the lack of facilities and teachers, but schools in urban areas there is an excess of teachers. Educational officials who visit schools once in a while, have stated in their reports this time that schools seem dark and to repaint them. They fail to address the real issues,” he said.
The CAC said that, if the Government doesn’t give a favorable response to the bribery and corruption taking place in schools, the Union will take necessary action in the future.
| There is a circular in 2008, where it clearly states that Old Girls/Boys Associations are prohibited from soliciting money from current students. However, these students are made to sell tickets for parades and other occasions,” he said. Also addressing the issue, National Principals’ Union’s General Secretary Parakrama Weerasinghe, said that, even though there is a severe lack of desks and chairs for students in rural schools, official residences of principals in established schools are given luxuriously furnished houses. |
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus