CIRCULAR BANNING CASH COLLECTION IN SCHOOLS INEFFECTIVE – TEACHERS
Education sector professionals yesterday described the special circular issued by the Education Ministry on Wednesday (13) prohibiting money collection in schools as ‘a document of no importance’ and added that none of its clauses had eased the burden of school finances off parents.
Ceylon Teachers’ Services Union (CTSU) General Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe speaking at a media briefing yesterday said: “Following the public attention received on the issue of money collection in schools with the incident of a student who stole coconuts to pay fees, Education Minis-
Schools have exploited its clauses and made it an excuse to charge exorbitant amounts of money from parents, particularly during admissions
ter Bandula Gunwardena promised to issue a circular that prohibited such actions within two weeks. However, even after taking over a month to fulfill his promise, Minister Gunwardena has failed to stop money being charged for maintenance activities in schools.”
Mr. Jayasinghe said the main reason for the circular’s ineffectiveness is its first clause that states all circulars issued so far with regard to money collection in schools, including 2008/35, must be strictly followed.
“Various teacher unions repeatedly pointed out that it was the 2008/35 circular issued with regard to the development of schools that had contributed to the charging of money from parents for school development activities. Schools have exploited its clauses and made it an excuse to charge exorbitant amounts of money from parents, particularly during admissions. Why hasn’t the Education Ministry taken any action to annul the circular?” he asked.
He also stressed that if the circular did effectively prohibit all forms of money collection in schools except for charging of facilities fees, the Education Ministry should have increased financial allocations for schools as the current finances being provided are insufficient. Speaking further Mr. Jayasinghe said: “Under the present financial constraints faced by schools, principals and the administrations would be compelled to charge money from parents unless effective measures are implemented to provide finances adequate for the maintenance and management of schools.”