FUTA and school teachers against KDU amendments

University lecturers and school teachers are demanding authorities to withdraw proposed amendments to the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Act.

This week, university lecturers vehemently rejected the attempt to bring in amendments to the Act that was once postponed by the Parliament due to protests by civilian groups, the university community, and other professional organisations.

“The Government is attempting to pass these amendments at a time when the country is facing the worst financial and political instability since Independence. The so- called changes are not acceptable as the threat of militarising the higher education sector still remains unchanged. The university’s higher governing body consists of top military officials and the Vice- Chancellor being military personnel will definitely create a military setting not suitable for civilian students,” the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) said.

FUTA also highlighted that the university system gives civilian students their freedom of expression and creates independent and creative individuals. They believe in equipping the state universities with more facilities and absorbing civilian students already receiving education at KDU to state universities while maintaining the KDU as a military university.

University lecturers have also expressed displeasure over the appointment of the University Grants Commission’s Chairman as a member of the board of KDU.

The Ceylon Teacher Services Union too expressed its concern over the powers given to the KDU in proposed amendments, including the one giving powers to establish schools and institutes.

“The ability to establish fee-levying schools with state officials in the governing body is a threat to the country’s free education. We will join others in their protests against the attempt by the government to introduce the amendments,” said the Union’s General Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe.

Ceylon Teachers Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin of the said the previous attempt to militarise the school education system failed.

“Principals and teachers were given military titles once they qualified in fitness and leadership tests. This did not succeed as teachers and principals were not willing to go through military training and it failed miserably,” he said, adding that the government will also face the same fate if they attempt to militarise the higher education sector.

Throughout this week, the Inter-University Students Union held protests and vowed to continue till the Government withdraws its plans to bring in proposed amendments.