A sagacious parent versus oppressive 'school mum'

This is the story of how one man's commitment to what was right in larger interest in the face of opposition by so many paid dividends - a moral adventure to those that believe in swimming with the tide or going the world's way which itself is a facilitation of deceit.

Having written all about moral stature which need not necessarily come off systemic elevation last week, not even in my wildest dream did I think of encountering one such case recently, among the parental fraternity in one of Colombo's leading boys' schools. Of course there was this father's personal affiliation in the matter because it was an issue revolving round his son and therefore, falls short of moral stature in its absolute sense. Nevertheless, that he refrained from towing the line as many parents did in yielding to the longstanding staffer's accrued injustices - some for personal gain and others due to fear itself largely centres around morality.

To prevent prolonging of reader curiosity let's kick off. The teacher concerned reportedly much to her discredit among other things bore an unbroken record of unmarked books, syllabuses not completed, children's handwriting not attended to and loads of crayons, bristol board, paint and such stuff that remained untouched despite a calendar year coming to a close.

Numerous PTA meetings went pass and the matter remained unresolved. Who would beard the lion - sorry the lioness in its den? Due to her notoriety in putting a lid on whatever transfer orders that came her way, this teacher was seen by one and all as a formidable force wielding much political clout. Little wonder then her autocracy in all matters big and small. Roaring like a lion or lioness, strutting like a peacock when need arose or at times inflicting a sting more sharper than a bee, she held floor or ruled the roost until one day Mr. X (the little boy's father) floored her lock, stock and barrel when she crossed his path.

Rising to the occasion he took the bull by its horns or more appropriately the cow by its tail volleying question after question which rained on her like anti-ballistic missiles. To her it was an unexpected waterloo. Backing her were a set of goons whose vain endeavours into silencing Mr. X added to the furore. Yes - goons, henchmen, bootlickers, b...suckers - you name it they were all there to swear by her. Typical Sri Lankan style.

Projecting what they believed was her unimpeachable profile, they displayed their loyalty to this - their 'majesty the queen' on whom they lived like parasites. What then is to her credit in building up this whole reservoir of goodwill?

This teacher was tutor to children in the parental back up gang. Besides, there was also the loud mouthed tutory building owner playing his accompaniment. Not only they, there were also those that did all kinds of odd jobs for her all of whom teamed up in her defence while the rest out of fear preferred silence.

Yet Mr. X, like a gallant soldier stayed at the wicket. Failing to answer his questions, the teacher turned to Mrs. X and in native lingo said, "Oya Minihata Pissu. Oya Miniha beela. Oyage Oya Minihawa Issella Hadaaganna". ("Your man is mad. He is drunk. First you discipline him.")

Of course this is nothing strange in a land where a clarion call to justice meets with all kinds of labels. Bebadda, Pissa, Murandukaraya, Loose Porak, Mad man, drunkard, eccentric, cynic, stubborn case, black sheep are among the common labels while the entire social gamut has a penchant for the calm, quiet, unassuming, obedient, kind - never mind what such persons harbour within.

To cut a long story short, before Zoom Lens focus falls on whatever is the drama's post mortem, the matter now rests with the National Schools' Director after Minister Susil Premajayanth himself refused to go into it for its notoriety - Mr. X not being this overbearing school mum's first and only victim.To satisfy reader curiosity on how Ministerial attention came about on the case itself - in the wake of her transfer to some other section, the teacher herself taking on the role of the offended wrote to the President which communication the Minister was recipient to.

Many are of the view that longstanding staffers in leading schools (are the rest misleading?) become a law unto themselves. The stronger the political clout the greater the chances of an extended stay.

This is not to rule out the dedicated long standing ones - now a dwindling tribe. Serving leading Colombo schools carries far more social prestige than being on the staff of some remote Vidyalaya not to forget Sri Lankan's great obsession with status itself. Today these long servicemen and women are in Colombo schools more for apart from prestige, convenience as well than for service.

Some of these longstanding staffers have even misled every new principal coming on transfer like every new bosses's mind being poisoned by the aging secretary who through her wiles, cunning and lowly behaviour gets a service extension. This then explains why in the private sector, for instance bank employees are subject to service rotation - an essential for mitigating corruption and improving effectiveness.

It has also caught the social eye of how longstanding personnel in public institutions and media organisations even crow over seniority to legitimize ineffectiveness, knowledge shortfall and incompetency in English. Political and other backing keep these dopes going like the old cart bull. Forgive me for the comparison - an insult to the animal itself.

On his part he has proved himself work worthy. Contemporary seniority unlike in the past is more a cover up for inadequacies than anything else. To all such persons the school mum in the story itself is a reflection of themselves!!

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