Over 9,000 more teachers to be transferred

More than 9,000 more Teachers serving in National Schools ( NS) are to be transferred next month, to ease administrative issues and strike a balance on staff.

This would be in addition to some 3,000 Teachers serving in GCE Advanced Level ( A/ L) classes of NSs, who were transferred recently.

"There were discrepancies in the schools' transfer system which was not operated correctly," a senior Ministry of Education (MoE) official said.

He said the move will provide an opportunity for Teachers to teach children of different societies and accordingly, help improve the standard of Education in the country.

"In any case, there is a circular that states, a Teacher could serve in the same NS only for 6 years. However, in most cases, Teachers using political influence, remained in the same NS for several years, sometimes for more than 25-35 years," he said.

Investigations reveal that some Teachers were providing private tuition and therefore, were not prepared to move out from the NS, as it would adversely affect the tuition classes they were conducting.

"Some of them were also involved in influencing the school administrative system and pressuring the principal on Grade 1 admissions, according to their wishes," the official added.

According to current figures, some 37,000 Teachers serve in NSs, with 12,000 of them having served in the same NS for more than 10 years.

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam directed the transfers be effected in a manner that would not interrupt the schools' administrative systems.

He noted there may be 20-30 teachers transferred from the same school, but it will not have an impact as an experienced teacher would be replac- ing the one transferred.

The decision had been reached following discussions with Education sector trade unions. of the Ceylon’s Teachers’ Services Union Gen. Sec. Mahinda Jayasinghe, said that consequent to a transfer, usually, a month's time is given for appeals and therefore, the Govt should give more time for the appeals.

However, an MoE official said they can assume duties at the ' new' school and appeal thereafter.