News
Ruling Party abuses Education sector for electioneering violating polls laws: TUs
View(s):Education sector Trade Unions alleged that current campaigning tactics of the ruling party was a severe abuse of State property and that, it undermined the Education system.
Highlighting several incidents that have taken place this month alone, Ceylon Teachers Union General Secretary, Joseph Stalin told Education Times that, consequent to the President’s excessive campaigning, many GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) candidates were severely handicapped.
“Prior to the exam, the authorities stated they will not hinder the exam process. But this did not happen. For example, on Tuesday (16), Baseline Road in Narahenpita and Borella areas were closed due to the President’s election campaign, resulting in several English Literature and Art candidates arriving late at their exam centres,” Mr Stalin alleged. “In the South, several volunteer teachers were asked to attend election meetings. while several teachers, from schools in the Galle area were asked to attend a compulsory mobile service. Since when did mobile services become compulsory?” he aaked.
Mr Stalin also alleged that several school principals in the Eheliyagoda area were asked to attend an election meeting at a hotel in the vicinity, on Wednesday (17).
“They were promised several promotions and posts,” he alleged.
“The election campaigning has severely affected the Education sector,” Ceylon Teacher Services Union Secretary, Mahinda Jayasinghe told Education Times.
“It was the innocent GCE O/L/ candidates who faced the full impact of the election campaigning,” Mr Jayasinghe said.
Particularly in Anuradhapura, several candidates fromn remote areas had no way of going to their exam centres on time, because most of the State buses had been commandeered for an election rally organised by the ruling party,” Mr Jayasinghe added. Mr Jayasinghe said, “A similar incident occurred on Tuesday (16) when the President had a rally at Thotalanga, Colombo.”
Meanwhile, Technological laboratories constructed under the Mahindodaya programme, in several schools situated in the Western and Wayamba Provinces were opened last Friday (19).
Trade unions alleged that opening these laboratories during school holidays was an election propaganda activity.
“The candidate is attempting to gain political advantage by opening these laboratories at this time, which is a clear violation of the electoral laws,” the CTSU alleged.
Though the trade unions have appealed to the Elections Commissioner (EC) for redress to these issues, no action has been taken as yet, a senior member of an Education union told Education Times.The EC was not available to comment on the matter.