Over 10,000 eligible teachers sans promotion to Principal grade: CTU
View(s):The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) last week took up the case of around 11,000 school teachers who are eligible for promotions to the Principal grade, with the Ministry of Co-existence & Official Languages, claiming their promotions have been barred due to the Education Ministry’s (MoE) requirement they have proficiency in the Sinhala and Tamil Languages, to qualify for promotion.
CTU Gen.Sec. Joseph Stalin said the plight of several teachers who have the required experience, but do not have the language proficiency, was brought to the notice of Minister Mano Ganeshan.
He said that, this year, of those eligible for promotion to the Principal grade, only 4% possess Language proficiency.
The Govt, as per Circular of 2007, made it mandatory for Sinhala and Tamil Medium teachers to be proficient in both Sinhala and Tamil Languages, by having a Pass in the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Exams in both Sinhala and Tamil Languages, and pass an oral test in the Languages, to qualify for promotions.
Mr Stalin said that teachers in Class 2 (3) and Class 3 (2) are unable to move up the scale, because of their difficulty to master both languages. To overcome the issue, the CTU suggests the MoE conduct courses in Sinhala and Tamil Languages and require teachers to follow for a total of 150 hours. The course, he said, would be devoid of an exam at the end of it.
For those with a Pass in the GCE O/L Sinhala/Tamil exam or, have followed a University Course, an incentive be given in recognition of their achievement.Mr Stalin said Minister Ganeshan had agreed to the proposal and assured a Cabinet paper will be placed before Parliament, next week. - CC