Stern action against teachers resorting to TU action sought
The
Sunday Observer last week sought the views of the public, especially the
parents of children and school principals on the decision taken by a
section of teachers to boycott the Advanced Level Examination paper
marking until their demands are met.
Here are excerpts from the interviews.
The Marketing Manager in a mercantile establishment, Dinesh
Jayeratne vehemently condemned the trade union action resorted to by
the members of five teacher trade unions to boycott the Advanced Level
Examination answer scripts evaluation process.
He said the education authorities must take stern action against the
teachers, on the grounds that it was a violation of the fundamental
rights of the children.
A technician attached to a private company, Kamal Sivaji said
that in India, Government teachers are legally bound not to boycott
teaching in their respective schools or to indulge in similar activities
as in our country, which could lead to the disruption of the education
system.
"Our rules and regulations are lenient and the teachers have got
undue advantages from that," he said.
Kanchana Hansi of Negombo said: "I remember my father telling
that teaching was a noble profession and encouraged me to be a teacher,
but I know the majority of teachers in the present day have brought the
teaching profession to the lowest level by indulging in unethical
activities such as boycotting paper marking and also by conducting
private tuition classes.
An Accounts Assistant in a mercantile firm, Rasika Wijekoon of
Bandarawela, also condemned the attitude of the members of these five
teacher unions and said that if these teachers were really intelligent,
they would never indulge in such low activities which will directly
affect the educational career of the younger generation in the country.
A Creative Designer, Yohan Goonatilaka of Bentara said: "I
can't believe, how the educated teachers in these five unions have
boycotted paper marking of AL students.
"I earnestly request them not to take revenge from students to win
their demands as in the case of doctors, taking revenge from patients."
A mother of three children and retired senior teacher of a school,
Wathsala Arsakularatne of Hanwella did not blame the members of
these teacher unions for the union action taken by them.
"This is a good opportunity to put the Education Department into an
embarrassing position and win the demands."
She repeatedly asked the members of these unions to go ahead with
their campaign until the Government sorted out the salary anomalies.
Mrs. Arsakularatne also said that even during her period the then
governments did not focus much attention on the grievances of teachers
in the service.
A secretary, attached to an embassy in Colombo, Arunika
Samarawickrema blamed Government teachers for disrupting the
educational career of children and also doctors for indulging in similar
activities which disrupt patients' life.
"I think both teachers and doctors are in the same category, but
doctors are worse than teachers,"
She recalled an incident and said that some doctors in Kandy, did not
turn up for duty even at a very critical time until the Health Minister
gave an assurance to solve their problems.
A Medical officer at a base hospital in Down South, Dr. Malan
Beligaswatta was not happy with the decision taken by teacher unions
to boycott paper marking of AL students. "The teachers may be having
problems, but my plea to them is not to take the revenge from poor
students, as many of them are awaiting results to pursue higher studies
in private institutions or to enter foreign universities.
He said, although marking answer scripts did not affect children
studying in our local universities as most of them are closed due to
clashes and protest campaigns, this situation will badly affect
children, expected to enter local and foreign private educational
institutions as these institutions start their higher education courses
on schedule. Retired School Principal, Laksiri Joseph of Dehiwala
asked the AL students who are financially well-off to do foreign
examinations so that they would never face this nature of campaigns.
A Provincial Councillor in the Sabaragamuwa province, Piyasena
Hirimuthugoda blamed the teachers of these unions for conducting
such a low campaign against the student population in the country and
said if this situation continues, it will affect the school vacation of
children in Colombo. Businessman, Nimal Punchiheva of Makandana,
Piliyandala asked the Government to rectify the teachers' salary
anomalies and end the problem as early as possible for the sake of
children.
"We are aware the Government has adequate money to meet the demands
of these poor teachers, considering the Government's intention of paying
a huge sum of money as pension arrears for former parliamentarians.
Gayantha Peris of Nugegoda said "Indulging in this nature of
campaigns by workers in the country is the best way to win the demands,
therefore I wish these workers will get the courage to continue their
protests.
Kamalsiri Godawatta of Ratnapura said "Government must not go
behind these low grade teachers who are indulging in unethical
activities and this is the high time for authorities to recall all
retired teachers for paper marking," |