TEACHERS WILL TAKE TO THE STREETS: CTU

A letter by the former Education Director had been addressed to the Governor stating the reasons as to why the decision could not be implemented

Teachers in the Province will take to the streets if the decision by former Education Director to include an additional class for Grade One in popular schools is not changed, the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) said yesterday.

“We hope the decision remains unchanged, even though there is a new Education Director,” CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

The trade unionists explaining the situation said the decision by the Provincial Education Minister to include an additional class to Grade One in three schools in Sri Jayawardenapura and Kalutara, two schools in Piliyandala, Homagama, Gampaha and Kelaniya, four in Colombo and one school in Horana was changed.

“Including an additional class will not only reduce the number of students in village schools but also increase the number of students in these schools which would mean more resources, infrastructure and funds will need to be poured into them,” he said.

A letter by the former Education Director had been addressed to the Governor stating the reasons as to why the decision could not be implemented.

“However, a new Education Director has been appointed and we hope that he is of the same opinion. We would be forced to take trade union action if that is not the case,” Mr.stalin said.