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Schools probed for soliciting funds contrary to official circular
View(s):Principals and teachers of more than 100 schools, including National schools, are under investigation for collecting money from parents and students for school activities, in violation of a recently issued circular by the Education Ministry, a senior official said.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education Upali Marasinghe told Education Times that audit teams are being dispatched to the schools from where complaints have been received about the illegal collection of funds.
He said that, some of the principals have claimed that the contributions were voluntary, but investigations will be conducted to ascertain whether the money collected conformed with the ministry circular.
Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that previous circulars sent in this regard had been ignored, but this time the circular is being strictly implemented.
“If the money allocated by the government to the school is insufficient, we have given instructions to write to us about the requirement. Thereafter, the ministry will decide and make funds available, if the money required is for a specific, valid purpose,” he said.
The Education Ministry, on Jan.29 issued a circular prohibiting soliciting funds from students of government schools.
According to this circular, funds could be collected only for strictly essential causes which have ministry approval.
As the Education ministry received a large number of complaints even after the circular, investigations were begun.
Ministry sources said that complaints regarding provincial schools have been directed to the relevant authorities.
Among the National schools under investigations are Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda, Bathiruddeen National School, Kandy, Rahula Vidyalaya, Matara, Nugawela Madya Maha Vidyalaya Kandy, Southland Girls School, Galle, Sanghamitta Girls School, Galle, Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya, Homagma, Isipathana Vidyalaya, Colombo 5, DS Senanayake College, Colombo 8 and Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda.
-Damith Wickremasekara