Ex MoE official sends backdated letters for Grade 1 admission

A senior official in the Ministry of Education ( MoE), who was transferred from his official post, due to the recent change in government, is allegedly sending letters to popular National schools seeking admission for children from other schools.

It is learned that parents have produced back dated letters signed by this official in MoE letterheads, demanding their children be admitted to Grades 2 to 9 in several schools.

The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) alleged that, last Monday, the popular boys school Thurstan College had received 11 letters from parents seeking admission for their children.

The Supreme Court (SC), in 2016, in response to fundamental rights cases filed in 2007, determined that, from 2016, parallel classes in Grade 1 should not exceed 35 students.

Although submissions were made by the MoE on the difficulties of maintaining the figure in the classes, due to increasing demand for places in these schools, the SC upheld its decision, saying the smaller numbers will help facilitate the link between teacher and child, and make it manageable for the teachers.

CTU General Secretary Stalin said the MoE agreed to bring down the number of students from Grade 2 to Advanced Level gradually to 35 students by 2021.

At present, classrooms in popular schools are crowded with numbers going up to 45-50, making it unmanageable for teachers to teach.

"This is the 3rd term and admitting children to schools at this time is unacceptable," he said.

CTU General Secretary Stalin said the MoE agreed to bring down the number of students from Grade 2 to Advanced Level gradually to 35 students by 2021.