Parents of Gr. I students stage protest in Weligama

A chaotic situation prevailed yesterday morning due to a gathering of about 100 parents and their children at premises of the Weligama police station and the office of the Women and Child Bureau.

These people complained about the non-admission of the students to the Gr.1 class of Weligama Sumangala girls and Sidhartha boystwo national schools for 2012 compelling them to admit their children to the next nearest school- Weligama Dharmapala Junior School.

But since teachers are not available for 3 classes of Grade 1 in this school they were experiencing much difficulties, they said.

Parents P.H. Chandrathilka and P.H Surangi explaining the problem said they had to admit their children to the next nearest junior school since admission to the grade I has been discontinued at the two national schools.

Since adequate number of teachers are not available this situation had arisen. school said.

“We brought this situation to the notice of the principal of the school and the Officials of the Weligama Education office. But the teachers’ problem still remain unsolved,” said the parents .

OIC of the Weligama police said they directed the parents to the Weligama Education office after listening to their grievances. And also informed the relevant position of the police and the local politicians.

The principal of this problem related Weligama Dharmapala Junior School, Lionel Weerasingha said this year 252 students were admitted to the six classes of Gr.1 increasing the existing 4 classes to 6.

Although they have other facilities the school experiences lack of teachers which aggravated with the retirement of two teachers end of last year.

“We have informed the officials of the Education Department about the situation. And they have promised to give necessary teachers immediately,” he said.

The Director of the Weligama Education Zone Kamala Meegahawatta said new teachers had been assigned to the said school and the problem would be solved by next week.