Over 60 complaints against principals to Bribery Commission in January

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor

The Bribery Commission has received more than 60 complaints during January 2014 against school principals island-wide regarding them soliciting unreasonable donations, bribes and other illegal gratifications from parents to admit their children to Grade One classes in government schools.

More than five special circulars have been issued to school authorities by the Ministry of Education to refrain from accepting funds from parents who plan to admit their students to popular government schools, during the past five years.

Despite the circulars, some principals still brazenly violate rules and regulations.

If found guilty, they may have to face jail sentences in addition to the confiscation of their assets, said Director of Education, Kurunegala W.M. Balasooriya at a conference for parents who aspire to admit their children to popular schools in the Kurunegala town during 2014.