No TU action in schools or education sector tomorrow: Akila

There will be no strike or any other trade union action in schools or in the education sector tomorrow (4) or anywhere in the country as suggested by certain media, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

He added that media did not have a right or they could not incite teachers, principals or students to resort to trade union action in this way only because they have their own political agenda against the government and the Education Ministry.

“The attempt to ignite trouble, disrupt free education and create controversy in the education service is treacherous and hypocritical. I will not let a strike to be staged only because they have a grudge or vengeance against me,” Minister Kariyawasam stressed. Addressing the media at his office yesterday Minister Kariyawasam said he had taken all possible measures to free the education sector from politics. Recruitment for teacher training, appointment of teachers and principals, promotions, student admissions and all interviews were done only on merit sans any political influence. “For many, including certain trade unionists and certain media outlets, this new democratic policy is unacceptable because they have obtained their appointments and promotions on their political affiliations. I have introduced a fully transparent policy devoid of politics and selection of teachers, principals and officials to the education service is being done by an independent committee of education experts.this system has also been approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) but not by certain trade unionists. That is why there is this hooliganism in education,” Minister Kariyawasam noted.

Minister Kariyawasam said 6,080 employees in the education sector and a majority of them teachers and principals have got promotions under political victimization during the UNP rule between 1977 – 2004 period but without any proper inquiry and procedure under the Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa rule.

“I took measures to depoliticize the whole system and appointed an independent committee comprising eminent persons nominated by the President, Prime Minister and Education Ministry to inquire into cases of political victimization from 2004 to 2015.