MoE for police intervention against outsiders disrupting school activities
View(s):The Ministry of Education (MoE) is to obtain police assistance against Trade and University Student Unions visiting schools to spread canards of Govt principles and proposals. Accordingly, without special permission from Provincial Secretaries of Education, Provincial and Zonal Education Directors, external groups and people are barred from entering schools to meet/address students/teachers. The policy will be implemented at school level through principals. If unauthorised external groups/persons gain access to schools, without permission, the Principal will be held responsible.
Commenting on the matter Principals’ Union President Parakrama Weerasinghe stated that regulations to ensure outsiders did not gain access to schools, already existed, and at no point of time were outsiders allowed to meet/address students without the Principal’s permission. In addition, he stated that Principals will continue to coordinate with Teachers’ Union activities as usual.
Ceylon Teachers’ Union Sec. Joseph Stalin said the policy does not apply to them, as the ILO Conventions and Trade Union Ordinances allow them to convene and organise activities at the workplace. However, he assured that the activities conducted do not disrupt student education. He further cited this as an effort to prevent Trade Unions from speaking out against Govt agendas to push the Education system towards privatisation.
Principals’ Union Gen.Sec. Mahinda Jayasinghe said, though there were problems regarding Teachers’ Union activities in some schools within the Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Colombo area, they were few, regarding the extent of Union operations. Joint Teachers Services Union Sec. Vimal Piyathisa said it is a part of Union responsibility to ensure the Govt is providing the necessary services and framework that allow teachers to provide an optimal Education to schoolchildren. This, naturally, includes visiting schools and meeting/talking to teachers.
The Ministry elaborated they were informed of an organised effort to spread incorrect information and create erroneous perceptions of the Govt’s Mandatory 13-Year Education Policy, by external student organizations. It specifically targeted Govt efforts to obtain private sector assistance to introduce a stream of Vocational studies as an option to the GCE A/L exam.
A circular was issued on Feb.27, 2017, to prevent such activities. However, due to persistent reports of outsiders disrupting school activities, the MoE warned severe legal repercussions against such parties and any known supporters, through a press release on Sept.19. The MoE has briefed the Inspector General of Police about providing assistance, if a situation is beyond the control of school principals.
- Sandali Karunawansa