ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO TRANSFER THURSTAN PRINCIPAL

Teachers and parents of Thurstan College, Colombo expressed their concern over an alleged attempt of the Education Ministry to transfer the school principal Y.A.N.D. Yapa.

In the hope of urging the Education Ministry officials and Minister Bandu

la Gunawardena, Thurstan College teachers as well as members of the school development society met with Minister Gunwardena on Monday. However, they claim they did not receive a positive answer to their plea.

“We have learnt that steps are underway to transfer the principal. This is an unfortunate situation because there has been no explanation concerning the motives behind the transfer and neither has he been charged with anything. We were hoping

Our objection is not directed towards discouraging the transfer of national school principals. However, we should not accept arbitrary transfers that are carried out to fulfill the whims and fancies of various parties with power

the meeting with Minister Gunwardena yesterday would make a difference, but he said he would try to do something after discussing the situation with the President,” a teacher from Thurstan College who wished to remain anonymous said.

However, the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secre- tary Joseph Stalin claimed the pending transfer order was a result of the principal’s objections to some of the actions of the school’s Old Boys Association.

Speaking further he said, “Our objection is not directed towards discouraging the transfer of national school princi- pals. However, we should not accept arbitrary transfers that are carried out to fulfill the whims and fancies of various parties with power.”

He went on to state it was frustrating to see that Principals from several other popular, national schools who have been charged with accusations of bribery have still not been held accountable for their actions, while those who carry out their duties untainted are being reprimanded for their actions.