AVK orders strict disciplinary action against relevant officials

The Ministry of Education ( MoE) is to take strict disciplinary action against t wo A d d i t i o n a l Secretaries and 11 Education officials, consequent to an inquiry into the death of a school principal during a leadership training programme.

This decision followed a report submitted to Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam who ordered the MoE Secretary to conduct an impartial inquiry into the death of the female Principal of Ambalantota Suchi National School.

According to the MoE, the Additional Secretary in charge o f Human Re s o u r c e D ev e l o p m e n t (School Activities), Director of the Human Resource Development Unit , Deputy Director of the Human Resource Development Unit, Additional Secretary ( Procurement), Accountant (Procurement), members of the Technical Evaluation & Procurement Committee, will be among those who will go through tough disciplinary action for failing to carry out safe leadership and personality development programmes for school principals.

The Report has suggested interdicting the Director and Deputy Director of the Human Resource Development Unit of the MoE.

It has also recommended blacklisting Sri Lanka Outdoor Adventure School which conducted the training programme.

The Report recommends the immediate removal of the Duties and Responsibilities of the Additional Secretary in charge of Human Resource D ev e l o p m e n t (School Activities).

“All those involved in organizing, planning, calling for bids, selecting institutions, have done it in an irresponsible way, and diverting from their duties when it came to this leadership programme,” the MoE said.

Ambalantota Suchi National School Principal Rohini Kumari Attapattu, 53, died while climbing down from a 40- foot rope ladder, as part of the leadership training programme held at the Wayamba Teacher Training Centre in Kurunegala on Feb.17.

The MoE has assured compensation to be paid to the children and the husband of the deceased principal, in addition to the widows pension and insurance benefits.

“This strict action was taken as a lesson to public officials to be more responsible when it comes to human lives. Irresponsible behaviour like this will result in loss of public faith in the MoE. This incident has caused great harm to the reputation of the MoE,” the Ministry said, adding, the Minister has instructed strict action without considering excuses.

The MoE halted the training programme following this tragic incident.