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| Sunday, 24 March 2002 |
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News
in brief
LTTE clamp down on tutorship The LTTE has come down hard on owners of private tutories in Vavuniya and imposed various restrictions including a low fee structure and the banning of classes on weekday mornings and evenings. The LTTE, which has also ordered that Fridays be declared holidays, is expected to announce the new rates tomorrow. The new rates will be lower than what is currently being charged. These restrictions were announced at a meeting between the LTTE and the owners of private tutories. Private tuition is a common feature in Vavuniya with children often attending classes before going to school and late in the evening. The morning classes begin at 5.30 a.m. There are about ten proper tutories in the Vavuniya town. Classes are also conducted in private houses by various people. Giving tuition is a popular and profitable part time employment for many government servants in the area. Classes conducted in private homes for more than six children are also defined as tutories by the LTTE and owners are ordered to contribute a portion of their earnings to the LTTE.According to a representative of tuition teachers association, the teachers had explained their difficulties and requested the LTTE not to tax them too much. It is also understood that salaries of the tuition teachers were reduced early this month in order to celebrate Pongu Tamil. Education big wig in big fraud The Auditor General's Department has exposed a big fraud involving several millions of rupees allegedly carried out by a top education officer in the Central Province, over a period of three years. According to Education Ministry sources, a Deputy Director (Commerce) attached to the Central Province Education Ministry has allegedly defrauded Rs. 5,486,443 allocated for teacher training for the years 1999, 2000, and 2001. However, no teacher training sessions had been conducted by the Central Province Education Ministry during that period. The director had presented false documents to prove that training sessions were conducted, in order to have the funds released. The director had also obtained Rs.3,254,786 in a fraudulent manner in 1998, it is alleged. Audit inquiries have revealed that the director had obtained the money by producing the names of teachers who had not attended the training sessions, and dubious payments in the documents presented to the Education Ministry. No 'Z scores' The " Z scores" system, currently used to select students to universities, will be changed in the future, " Sunday Observer" learns. Minister of Education Karunasena Kodituwakku is expected to have a lengthy discussion on the subject with eminent education officers soon, a spokesman for the Education Ministry told the "Sunday Observer". The 'Z scores' are assured at by converting the raw marks obtained by students in different subjects using a standard scale called the 'Z distribution'. Appeals Kasuni Anjana Govindi (2 years) of 442, Track 4, New Town, Medirigiya, is suffering from rare complication. Surgery on her right ear cannot be performed as she had been detected with a hole in the heart, in addition to a case of having only one kidney. According to Consultant Cardiao-thoracic surgeon Dr. A.G. Jayakrishnan of the Nawaloka Hospitals she has to undergo surgery for Fallots tetrology, which is estimated to cost around Rs. 275,000. Well-wishers may kindly contribute to A/c No. 209-042179, People's Bank, Medirigiriya. ------------------ I. D. Susantha (22) of Bolessagama, Kalutara South is physically and mentally handicapped. Despite medical treatment, he is suffering from a life-long disability. His parents who eke out a meagre existence have to support a family of five and find it difficult to sustain his upkeep which include expensive medical bills. Contributions could be sent to Account No. 1001.61115899, Bank of Ceylon, Kalutara. |
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