3,100 Sports Educators appointment tomorrow- Akila

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said last week that the 3,100 appointment of Sports Educators will be handed over as scheduled on Monday (29).

He said the recruitment of Sports Educators had been unduly delayed because the Provincial Councils (PC) have refused to accept the new appointees.

The PCs said they had no cadre to recruiting Sports Educators and are unable to pay their salaries.

The PCs also said the new recruits were under- qualified and, if accepted, will violate the Teacher Service Minute.

Minister Kariyawasam said that the Ministry of Education ( MoE) has had talks with the Finance Ministry, which has agreed to pay their salaries. "We take total responsibility for their salaries and other matters," he said.

The minimum qualification the MoE had looked into was their Sports qualifications at District and National level. The Sports Educators have already received 3 months training and will receive a further 6 months training. " In addition, intermittent training will follow throughout their service," he said.

Western Province ( WP) Education Ministry Secretary S. G. Wijayabandhu said they have no issues, if the MoE is taking responsibility for their salaries and other issues that may arise.

He said that many schools in the WP do not have Sports Educators and children who shine in Sports are deprived of a Sports Educator to train them.

"They are hired from outside paying high salaries. Mostly children in rural schools are affected and lose the chance to shine at National level," he said.