Money under the table that has made a mockery of free education

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

File photo: ANCL Library

Courtesy- Transparency International

The concept of a free and fair education in schools has been on a rocky path despite it being one of the prominent promises in the political agenda. Education not being free of charge is not a new story, and yet remains a burning issue mortifying parents and students.

The free education system no longer serves the purpose it was created for, is an allegation raised by activists of trade unions in the education sector as well as educationists.

Millions of rupees charged unofficially to enroll students to schools at every entry level has been an oppressing problem for aspiring students and their hard working monthly wage earners.

The Education Ministry in February this year stated they had identified principals or authorities belonging to ten schools, as having the most number of complaints on irregularly collecting money and who are under investigation. As of today the number of schools investigated by the Ministry has risen to 13.

The Education Ministry has stated that despite the 05-2015 circular issued in January this year banning such irregularities, schools continued to collect enormous amounts of money from students. these schools are under scrutiny.

Disciplinary action?

"But what disciplinary action has the Ministry taken against these principals following the investigations?" questioned the General Secretary, Ceylon Teachers Union, Joseph Stalin deeming it a media show.

The highest number of complaints for bribery and corruption in the State sector was reported from the education sector but proper action has not yet been taken against these scandalous people, alleged Stalin. He added that the circular 05-2015 has established paths for the corrupt principals to irregularly collect money from students instead of putting and end to the corruption.

Recent collection

Education Minister, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam ''According to the current regulations, no school can collect money to enroll students and any other funds collected need prior approval from the Ministry Secretary.''

Ceylon Teacher's Union General Secretary, Joseph Stalin ''The highest number of complaints for bribery and corruption in the state sector was reported from the education sector but proper action has not yet been taken against these scandalous people, alleged.''

P. K. Wewalage - parent "The principal, even the Past Pupil Associations still continue to collect money and when we as parents raise our voice against this, our children get victimised.''

He pointed out that the circular 2013/11 issued in 2013 should have put an end to any form of collecting money, but this has not happened. The most recent being, collecting money from students enrolling for Advance Level classes ranging from around Rs. 7000 to Rs.15,000. Stalin pointed out that despite the fund limit imposed by the education authorities to collect from students, the principals have included additional charges under a different cover. "But the 2013 circular denies all such collections and that is still valid as the 05-2015 has not mentioned that it is replaced by the 05-2015," he explained.

Parent Teacher Associations of Colombo and outstation schools have made similar remarks over the current situation. P. K. Wewalage, whose son is studying in a leading Buddhist school in Colombo alleged that there is no end to this miserable practice despite the complaints, investigations on corrupt principals. "The principal, even the Past Pupil Associations still continue to collect money and when we as parents raise our voice against this, our children get victimised," said Wewalage.

The situation is similar in many outstation schools, according to Withanage Samson, a parent of a student attending a leading girls school in Galle. "My daughter had to go through immense trouble because I opposed certain actions of the Principal at the School Development Committee meetings," Samson explained.

Most of the parents hailing from the middle class and depending solely on a monthly wage find it excruciating in their unending efforts to give their children the best of education.

Limited

Several parents, representing parent associations of various schools in Colombo and the out tations, meeting the media recently explained the dire situation they are facing in educating their children.

The sad reality is that people are still paying huge sums for education in Government schools.

Pointing out the reasons for issuing the 5-2015 Circular Education Minister, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam emphasised it had actually limited the millions of rupees errant principals were taking as bribes. "According to the current regulations no school can collect money to enroll students and any other funds collected need prior approval of the Ministry Secretary," said the Minister.

He added that the circular issued will not legalise money collection at schools and ensured that it will be curtailed further step by step.

"We will be very unpleasant authorities for some principals. We have even had meetings with trade unions as well to discuss various matters including financial irregularities. My predecessor denied meeting with trade unions but we are taking every possible action to bring a fair judgement," he emphasised.

"We are well aware of the games played in certain schools. At times we know very well the principal is behind collecting money under the guise of the School Development Committee.

We do not want to see parents burdened or students deprived of a good education," stressed the Minister.

Out of the 13 schools that are under investigation, disciplinary action has already been taken against two of the schools, according to the Minister. A principal of a Colombo leading boys' school and another from a leading Central College in the Kandy district have been interdicted, Minister Kariyawasam added.

"It may not happen at the speed the trade unions want but certainly we are progressing in correcting these malpractices," he added.

The education system in Sri Lanka is aimed at ensuring a free and fair education to all children hailing from all segments of society.

A special committee appointed in 1942 to observe the Sri Lankan education system has pointed out, among its list of suggestions, that good education should be available for all children free of charge, 'so that education ceases to be a commodity purchasable only by the urban affluent'. It has also mentioned that teachers should be protected from exploitation from school managers.