Akila seeks President’s mediation to grant principals’ appointments
View(s):The Ministry of Education (MoE) is to seek the intervention of President Maithripala Sirisena to resolve a dispute with the Provincial Chief Ministers (CM) over the acceptance of the newly promoted 3,500 Principals.
The dispute has risen because the CMs have refused to accept the promotions and continue to allow Acting Principals to perform the duties.
Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told Education Times that a Cabinet paper related to this had already been submitted and a discussion with Provincial Education Secretaries held, but the issue was not resolved. “Our efforts have failed. Therefore, we expect the President to call for a meeting of the CMs to discuss and resolve the issue,”Mr Kariyawasam explained.
He said that, currently, persons not suitable for the position of Principals are serving as Acting Principals, and thereby undermining the Education system. “Our objective of making the appointments was to improve the Eudcation system, but that has not happened,” he said.
The Govt, last year, granted promotions to 4,000 Principals following exams, but only 500 of them have been able to assume duties. “It is the rest of that batch of 3,500 who have not been able to assume duties,” he said.
Trade Unionist Mahinda Jayasinghe said it was up to the Govt to have discussions and resolve the issue as soon as possible.
“It is a joint UNP-SLFP Govt. Why can’t the Govt discuss the issue between themselves and resolve it,” he added.
He said a number of schools were affected, as their administration was not handled properly because the schools lacked qualified Principals.
He said that, as the appointments have already been made, the Principals now cannot return to teaching and therefore, their time was wasted.
“We will resort to trade union action if the problem is not resolved,” he added.
- Damith Wickremasekara