STOP POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN PROCESS OF APPOINTING PRINCIPALS: TEACHERS’UNION

In spite of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena’s claim about some 5126 principal vacancies that exist within the school system at present, teacher unions claim that over 4000 officials who have the qualifications to be appointed to these posts had been deprived of the chance.

Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said, “In 2009, around 1980 officials who were in Grade 2-II of the Principals’ Service and 2200 officials who were in Grade III were given appointments. However, as a result of irregularities in the appointment process, another batch of 2000 officials from Grade 2- II and 1700 from Grade III of the Principals Service were also given appointments in accordance to a Supreme Court ruling. These individuals however have so far only been appointed as deputy principals, section heads and assistant teachers. Stalin accused Minister Gunawardena of appointing under-qualified assistant teachers as school principals. According to Stalin, in August 2012, a notice

As a result of irregularities in the appointment process, another batch of 2000 officials from Grade 2- II and 1700 from Grade III of the Principals Service were also given appointments in accordance to a Supreme Court ruling

was issued by the Education Ministry that absorbed all assistant teachers who temporarily fulfilled the duties of principals into the Grade 2-II cadre of the principals’ serv- ice. “It was a clear violation of the Principals service minutes and is politically motivated,” he added. Speaking further, Mr. Stalin urged Minister Gunawardena to put a stop to the politicization of the education sector and to ensure that only qualified officials who earned their places by merit were given such jobs in the future.