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2 Principals docked for soliciting bribes for Grade 1 admissions
View(s):This week two principals of reputed schools were accused of allegedly soliciting bribes for Grade 1 admissions.
Principal of St Joseph’s Balika Vidyalaya, Grandpass, was accused of demanding Rs 50,000 for the School’s development programme, from the parents of a child seeking admission to Grade 1.
The child’s parents lodged a complaint with the WP Chief Minister, who is also the Education minister, regarding the Principal’s demand for funds.
Western Province (WP) Education Ministry Secretary, M.A.B. Daya Senaratne said, a charge sheet will be issued against this particular Principal next week.
Earlier, the Provincial Education Director had issued a directive to the Principal to admit the child, which the Principal declined to do.
When an explanation was sought as to why she disregarded the directive, she responded that the parents were not willing to make a donation to a school project.
The Provincial Education ministry said that it is illegal to solicit money, directly or indirectly, to admit a child. Hence, she violated the circular by refusing to admit the child.
In another incident, the Principal of Labuduwa Sri Dhamma College, Galle, was arrested when he obtained Rs 300,000 to admit a child to Grade 1.
He was arrested while accepting the bribe from an official of the Bribery Commission, who posed off as the child’s mother. The Commission said in court that the arrest was made following a complaint lodged by a resident of that area.