FUTA and Govt. reach consensus, paper marking likely to begin
View(s):Education Minister Susil Premajayantha expressed confidence GCE (Advanced Level) examination marking will commence next week after a solution reached with University teachers.
Minister Premajayantha said that three of the outstanding issues was resolved, with three more yet to be resolved.
He said discussions were held with the University Grants Commission in resolving the issues.
UGC Chairman Sampath Amaratunga told Education Times that discussions held so far have been successful, and that an appeal was made to the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) to consider the issue from the students’ point of view of as well. He said they were told to consider the fact that these students were affected by the interruption of education activities due to Covid, followed by the closure of schools for other reasons.
Prof Amaratunga said there was a positive response from FUTA members and it was likely that paper marking will commence.
He said one of the outstanding issues was that FUTA wanted the restoration of air tickets provided to those travelling on sabbatical leave; the issue was referred to the Finance Ministry.
They also wanted to resume the recruitment of lecturers while another demand has been to restructure the loans obtained by academics and moratorium on the repayment of the loans. This issue was referred to the Central Bank. They also wanted tax concessions. They wanted a tax exemption on research allowance.
Prof Amaratunga said the meeting ended in a cordial manner and hoped paper marking could commence next week.
Meanwhile FUTA President S Bannaheka told Education Times that the FUTA members would meet to discuss the solutions provided, and thereafter take a decision. “If there is a positive response from the Government we would also respond positively.” DWI
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