Permanency demand for over 3,000 Teacher Assistants

As the Ministry of Education proceeds to recruit more Teachers, a fresh demand is being made on the Government to make permanent as soon as possible, over 3,000 Teacher Assistants recruited to teach in Tamil Medium schools.

The Ceylon Teachers Services Union General Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe told the Education Times that the demand was because a batch recruited thereafter had already been made permanent.

"The 3,000 odd Teacher Assistants are on a ' Trainee' basis, with an allowance of Rs 10,000 which is insufficient. We are also asking for an increase in the allowance, until the permanency issue is resolved," he added.

He said it was unfair to retain them on a 'Trainee' basis for a prolonged period.

"We have granted a 2- week ultimatum to the MoE to resolve the issue. Failing which, we will resort to protests and thereafter, trade union action," Mr Jayasinghe added.

A senior official of the MoE said the request for permanency was under consideration.

Meanwhile more than 7,000 Teachers will be recruited into National, Provincial and estate schools before year's end, with plans to recruit another 6,000 Teachers next year, said Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

He said that, among them will be 1,140 graduates recruited to National schools, while 1,360 Diplomates will be recruited for all subjects from Grades 6 to 10 .

Also, 3,298 GCE Advanced Level qualified persons will be recruited on completion of their Diplomas in the relevant subject.

Under another plan, 1,113 persons serving as Development Assistants will also be recruited as Teachers.

Plans are also underway to recruit Volunteer Teachers to the Northern Province. Already, 182 have qualified, while 494 more will be recruited.

There will be separate recruitment for the Eastern Province.