31 Teachers on the mat for forcing students to their tuition classes

Disciplinary action will be initiated against 31 teachers who canvassed students to attend their private tuition classes for the Grade 5 Scholarship exams.

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawsam last week told a review meeting that, based on complaints by parents and other sources, some teachers have abused or penalised students for failing to attend their private classes, and disciplinary action be taken against those who carried out such actions

He said that instructions also have been issued to initiate action, if teachers continue the same practice for the forthcoming examinations. Complaints could be made on hotline 1988.

In 2 instances, at Embilipitiya President's College and Bandaragama National School, teachers had collected Rs 800 from each student for extra classes, and used abusive language on students who did not attend the classes.

Another teacher of Debarawewa Janadhipathi Vidyalaya had collected Rs 7001000..

A teacher attached to Nadugala MV in Matara, had collected Rs 200 per student, for tuition related to question papers issued by the Zonal Education Office.

In the North Central Province, at Horapola Muslim Vidyalaya, Kekirawa, a teacher had collected Rs 50 per student, for additional classes to Grades 5,9,10 and 11 students.

There were similar complaints from Kahawatta Primary School, Ratnapura, Ramanadhapuram MV. Kilinochchi and Zahira College, Dharga Town, Kalutara.