Govt. moves to ban tuition classes during school hours

The Government intends to introduce new regulations preventing schoolchildren from attending tuition classes during school hours.

"A Cabinet proposal to prevent students from attending tuition classes and the conduct of such classes during school hours, is to be submitted," said Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

He said that this was in view of complaints that attendance at GCE A/L classes had dropped as students who should be in school following classes, were now attending tuition classes held during school hours.

However, the regulation will not apply to students taking the exam for the second time, and attending revision classes.

The move is in addition to a separate plan to ban tuition classes on Poya days and Sundays, aimed at attracting students to follow Religious classes.

Minister Kariyawasam said that, despite large expenses on improving infrastructure in schools, recruiting teachers and appointing of principals, the drop in attendance in schools was affecting the Education system.

He dismissed claims by Education Unions that students were attracted to tuition classes due to lack of teachers in schools and the failure to complete syllabuses.

However, the Unions insist that tuition classes were able to attract students due to shortcomings in the schools.