CTU: Govt. request to utilise funds in School Development accounts, unreasonable
View(s):Last week the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) said the Government’s request for schools to spend funds collected in School Development accounts to prepare for the re-opening of schools is unreasonable.
In circular no. 15/2020 issued last week the Education Ministry, directed all schools to find and utilise their own funds to purchase face masks and sanitisers for the children.
The circular also suggested extra taps to be fixed in schools for hand washing.
Schools were also asked to spend funds collected in the School Development account, held by schools.
CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said it is wrong for the Ministry to request schools to spend the monies in these accounts, as the funds collected were reserved for funding school activities and other miscellaneous expenses that could arise.
He also said certain schools do not have a large sum of money in their accounts.
“There are some 5000 schools with less than 200 children. How are they going to find the monies?” he asked.
“The Government had received large sums of money as foreign aid to cope with the present COVID-19 situation. It is about time they spent this aid on schools,” Mr Stalin said.
(CC)