CTU GOES TO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON EDUCATION

Seeks productive system from Govt.

The Ceylon Teacher Union yesterday filed a petition before the Human Rights Commission requesting to recommend the Government to implement a more effective and productive education system in place of the present ‘On-line’ system implemented by the Ministry of Education.,

I am hopeful that the Human Rights Commission would intervene and make recommendations to the Government to resolve the issue

After handing over the petition to the Anuradhapura Regional Office of the HRC , President of the union Priyantha Fernando told the media that the majority of the student generation of more than four million in the country had lost the opportunity for education , He pointed out that the government had abided by the Children’s Education Charter of 1989 to provide education to every child under 18 years of age but today the entire school education in the country had been shut down.

“The ministry has introduced’ On-line’ system as an alternative. It is an absolute failure. We noticed that in remote areas, the children has to climb on to trees or roof tops to receive the signals to their devices. A recent survey revealed that only 30.3 percent of the students possessed computer literacy. Only 46 percent of the population possessed digital literacy and used computers, laptops, tabs, smart phones. Meanwhile, the President stated in his address to the nation that the Government had allocated Rs.25 billion for education. This allocation should be used to introduce education facilities accessible to all children. The Government is responsible for depriving the children of their education opportunities. I am hopeful that the Human Rights Commission would intervene and make recommendations to the Government to resolve the issue” he said.

Anuradhapura District President of the Union H.m.saman, District Organiser Jayaratne Sirisena, and Executive Member S.k.serasinghe were present at the occasion.