MoE against WPC’s changes to Grade 1 admission criteria
View(s):The Western Provincial Council (WPC) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) are at loggerheads over a new Grade 1 admission criteria implemented by the WPC. The MoE has called on the WPC to cancel the new criteria where parents could use the residential address of their parents (Child’s grandparents) to apply for admission.
The WPC, from this year introduced the new criteria on the grounds that, if a house has been written to one child, his/her brothers/sisters cannot use the same address to apply for admission. The WPC’s new criteria will be applicable for 2019 admissions, for which applications have already been called.
However, the MoE wants the WPC to change the criteria, as it does not conform with the National policy where one address can be used only by one family. “The National policy applies to all schools, be they National or Provincial. The WPC cannot amend these policies, which will lead to complications in the system”, Education Minister of Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told the Education Times.
He said complaints have flowed in from principals and parents due to complications caused by adjusting the criteria. MoE Secretary Sunil Hettiarachchi has summoned a meeting of WPC officials to discuss the matter. However, WPC Education Ministry Secretary S.G. Vijayabandu said that PCs are empowered to have their own criteria for admissions and the MoE cannot ask them to change the process.
He said the WPC Governor has already approved the proposal, adding that, the central government’s circulars could be adjusted by the respective PCs in keeping with their requirements. He said the MoE’s circulars are prepared keeping with the situations of National schools and therefore, does not suit Provincial schools. “We have not received any complaints so far”, he added.
He said they found it was unfair for family members by the MoE’s circulars and therefore, had decided to amend it.
“We are not in a position to make changes now”, he said. - Damith Wickremasekara