CTU says increasing student numbers in classrooms against SC ruling
View(s):Last week, the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) said it vehemently opposed the Government’s decision to increase student numbers in classrooms next year.
CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said the move to increase the number to 45 students despite the Supreme Court (SC) directive to decrease the number to 35 in each classroom was in contempt of the court’s ruling.
In 2011, the SC in a court case filed against classroom overcrowding in the 36 popular national schools , and they ruled that only a maximum of 35 students can be accommodated in classrooms.
The then Government failed to implement the directive. However, in 2016 a circular sent out to all schools by the Yahapalana Government agreed to reduce the number gradually from 40 students to 35 students within a five-year period.
Accordingly, the number of students in a classroom was 36 last year, and in 2021 the number was to reach 35, the standard ruled by the SC. However, the present Government had planned to increase the number to 45.
The CTU said the decision goes against the SC ruling and the current Government’s plan for high-quality schools for all children.
It also said, this decision would create a hierarchy among national schools, and the number of students applications to popular national schools would increase.
“If the Government continues with this action we will not hesitate to file action at the SC again,” Mr. Stalin said. -CC