NORTHERN TEACHERS GET STEPMOTHERLY TREATMENT
The Teachers Union complained that teachers employed in schools in the Northern Province were receiving stepmotherly treatment, pointing out their salary arrears had not been paid to them since 2005.
Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin speaking to the Daily Mirror said close to 4000 teachers employed in the education zones of Mullaitivu, Thunukkai, Kilinochchi, Madhu and Vavuniya North had been receiving stepmotherly treatment with concern to their entitled promotions and finances.
"Since 2005, various circulars have been issued by the Education Ministry with concern to teachers' promotions and salary revisions. But so far, none of those circulars have been implemented and neither have their benefits been offered to the teachers entitled for them," Mr. Stalin said.
He also said the Northern Province teachers had also been deprived of the 10 month loan entitled to teachers. "Only 50 teachers employed in the Northern Province were paid the 10 month loan in 2005. Even then, although the loan amount is supposed to be ten folds the basic salary, each teacher is only released a sum of Rs. 50,000. Since then, none of the teachers have been given the chance to apply for the loan scheme," Mr. Stalin said.
Among other financial benefits the teachers in the Northern Province have been deprived include the difficult area service allowance.
"As a result of being deprived of the entitled finances, these teachers have faced severe difficulties. So far neither the provincial ministry nor the education ministry has taken any measures to ensure that the arrears amounts are settled and these teachers are paid their entitled salaries," Mr. Stalin further complained.