The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has strongly criticized a directive requiring female teachers at Royal College Monaragala to attend school in white sarees.

According to reports, CTU Secretary Joseph Stalin said the move has created serious difficulties for teachers, with external pressures already being exerted to enforce the dress code. 

He further said that compelling teachers to wear white sarees despite clear warnings about the hardships involved is entirely wrong.

Stalin noted that the Ministry of Education had already issued written instructions on the matter, making the school’s enforcement of the rule inappropriate. 

Calling on the Education authorities to address the issue with proper consideration for the teachers’ well-being, he warned that failure to do so will result in the CTU intervening in the matter. (Newswire)

The post CTU slams compulsory white saree rule at Monaragala school appeared first on Newswire.

Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin says the government will have to suspend Circular 5/2015 to effectively stop schools from collecting money.

Addressing the media, Stalin said that the suspension of Circular 5/2015 is essential to implement this decision.

“This circular states that the total expense of the school must be divided by the number of students and collected from them. This is why amounts ranging from Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 8000 are collected from secondary schools, and amounts from Rs. 3000 are collected in primary schools. Parents cannot handle such expenses under the current circumstances,” he said. 

Stalin further said that schools were collecting money for painting at present, which he pointed out was the duty of the government.

He pointed out that only a new circular explicitly prohibiting all forms of such collections would ensure compliance. 

Stalin also stated that the attempts will fail if legal action is not initiated against those found violating the new circular.

His comments come after Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya recently announced in Parliament that this year, there was no need to collect money from parents in any way.

“If you are collecting money, stop it immediately. The Education Ministry Secretary has already issued an order not to collect money in schools,” she added. (Newswire)

The post CTU calls for new circular to halt school fund collections appeared first on Newswire.

Teachers’ unions criticized the government’s newly launched education reform program, calling it flawed, poorly planned and rushed, despite officials formally initiating the reforms earlier in the day.
‎
‎Union leaders said key resources required to implement the changes, including teachers’ guides, have not yet been issued, raising concerns about how educators are expected to deliver lessons under the new framework.
‎
‎The unions urged the government and the education minister to halt the rapid rollout and instead conduct proper planning before executing the reforms nationwide.
‎
‎Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin warned that the reforms could widen inequalities between urban and rural schools.
‎
‎He pointed to the new Grade One textbook, which reportedly contains 42 QR codes intended to support digital learning. “How are children in rural schools expected to access these facilities when internet connectivity and digital devices are either unavailable or very poor?” Stalin asked.
‎
‎He also questioned the long-term vision of the reforms, stating that even policymakers have not clearly defined what academic or developmental outcomes students are expected to achieve by the time they reach Grade 13.
‎
‎According to Stalin, teacher preparedness remains a major concern. He said educators assigned to teach under the new system have received training only for the first school term, while instructional materials remain incomplete.
‎
‎“Teachers do not even have a proper printed teachers’ guide,” he said, adding that the guide is currently available only online, further complicating access for schools with limited digital infrastructure. (Newswire)
‎

The post CTU slams education reforms as rushed and unprepared appeared first on Newswire.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has called on the government to implement an immediate concessional relief program for teachers and principals affected by the recent disaster.

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said many educators have been severely impacted and are struggling with financial burdens, including outstanding loans.

Stalin added that the Suraksha insurance scheme which is currently operational, could be used to support students, although details on available benefits remain unclear.

He urged the government to provide financial relief to educators, including loan concessions or cancellations for those impacted. (Newswire)

The post CTU calls for loan relief for disaster-affected teachers appeared first on Newswire.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union held discussions with the Secretary to the Ministry of Education this week, seeking urgent solutions to a series of professional issues affecting teachers and principals across the school system.

The meeting, attended by senior ministry officials, focused on concerns arising from the current uncertainty surrounding the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill and its implications for school discipline, as well as the additional administrative burdens placed on teachers through various projects unrelated to teaching.

According to the union, the discussions centered on several key matters:

1.⁠ ⁠Formulating new guidelines to ensure the protection of teachers when disciplinary action is taken in the absence of the amended Penal Code.
2.⁠ ⁠Amending the relevant circulars to remove excessive non-academic responsibilities imposed on teachers that hinder the teaching–learning process.
3.⁠ ⁠Allowing teacher transfers within national and provincial schools to be handled through respective provincial transfer boards for greater transparency and convenience.
4.⁠ ⁠Streamlining the payment of salary increments by eliminating the use of complex evaluation forms introduced by provincial and zonal offices, and relying instead on principal recommendations.
5.⁠ ⁠Establishing a process to enable teachers who were unable to complete module assessments by June 30 to do so without penalty.
6.⁠ ⁠Addressing complaints related to school fundraising practices and revising the relevant circulars.
7.⁠ ⁠Providing timely solutions to issues faced by teachers and principals under the ongoing education reform process.

The Education Secretary instructed ministry officials to take the necessary steps to resolve these matters promptly. (Newswire)

The post CTU meets education officials over key service issues appeared first on Newswire.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has expressed firm opposition to the government’s proposed education reforms, citing a lack of consultation, inconsistencies in policy, and potential negative impacts on students.

CTU Secretary Joseph Stalin said the union is “completely against” the reforms, which he described as rushed and lacking input from key stakeholders.

“There’s nothing new in these reforms—they’ve been discussed before. The Education Minister talks about reducing class sizes to 30 students, yet a circular issued by her this year mandates 40 students per class. How is this consistent?” Stalin questioned.

He also criticized the process, stating that reforms should be drafted by the National Education Commission, not the National Institute of Education, which he claimed lacks strategic vision. “The group that drafted these reforms are at the National Education Institute. They have no vision,” he said.

“The President spoke about school dropouts, but these reforms will only increase those numbers,” he added.

Stalin further objected to proposals extending school hours, saying teachers are being pressured to remain on duty until 2 p.m. without proper consultation. “We are completely against these arbitrary decisions,” he said. (Newswire)

The post CTU rejects Govt’s proposed education reforms appeared first on Newswire.

New information has come to light regarding the schoolgirl who died by suicide in Kotahena recently, with her parents revealing that their child had been pushed to the decision due to being cornered and humiliated over an incident of sexual abuse at her former school in Bambalapitiya. 

Speaking during a special media briefing, the mother of the child said the girl, who was to sit for the GCE Ordinary Level Examination this year, had been sexually abused by a male school teacher at her former school.

“Upon being informed that my daughter was making false claims, I took her to a doctor, who confirmed that she had been sexually molested. The doctor then informed the Police, after which the suspect was arrested and granted bail. They recorded a statement from us. But that is all we know, as we have not heard any other update. I did not look into it as I was focused on protecting my child,” she said. 

The mother revealed that she had taken measures to move the child to another school in Kotahena, where she was well taken care of by the teachers.

She said, however, a recent incident at a private tuition class, where an official at the institute had openly humiliated her in front of other students, revealing details of the case, claiming she is involved in a Police case, and telling her not to attend classes, had emotionally affected her. 

“My child was put in a situation where she could not go anywhere. Everyone kept questioning her about this incident. Information was spread, portraying her in a bad light. The details came out only after the incident that occurred in the private tuition institute. My daughter cried to me, saying that the institute official had humiliated her by stating false information. My child questioned why she was being penalized when she had not done anything wrong,” she said.

The mother of the deceased schoolgirl said the teacher who had been accused by her daughter had been granted bail over the incident and is continuing to teach at the girl’s former school.

She further revealed that the Police case had not been followed up, adding that the Education Ministry had also not contacted them in this regard. 

Also addressing the media briefing, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin, called out the Education Ministry for failing to intervene in the matter.

Joseph Stalin said that, in the event of an incident, it is mandatory for the Education Ministry to intervene and investigate, but in this instance, the ministry had failed to do so. 

“The incident had occurred at a state school. There are Tamil-speaking officials. Even though complaints by children are reported at several state schools, these are not investigated. They do not do it. They wait until a child loses his/her life,” he said. 

Joseph Stalin pointed out that if the authorities, including the Education Ministry, had taken timely measures and investigated incidents together with the Police, these student deaths could have been prevented.

Urging that the child and her family need justice, the CTU General Secretary called on the Education Ministry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and initiate legal action against those found responsible. 

Joseph Stalin added that a request has also been made from the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to conduct a probe into the matter. (Newswire)

The post Schoolgirl Suicide: Mother alleges abuse and public humiliation led to tragedy appeared first on Newswire.

Thirty-four (34) individuals, including the Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin, have been released from a case filed for staging a protest in violation of quarantine regulations in 2021.

The group was ordered to be released from the case when it was taken up for hearing before Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake today (Jan 06).

The thirty- four individuals, including Joseph Stalin, were arrested during a protest staged against the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University Bill on July 08, 2021. 

The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) and the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) also participated in the protest. 

The group was arrested under the provisions of Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance. (Newswire)

The post Famous 2021 quarantine case : 34 including Stalin released appeared first on Newswire.

Public Service Trade Unions have warned that if the authorities fail to address their demands within today they will convene in Colombo tomorrow (July 10) to decide on the future course of action.

The trade unions state they are not ready to give up following the two-day campaign and that they have agreed to convert the trade union action into a continuous strike.

The ‘Sick Leave’ campaign launched by 200 public sector trade unions, demanding a Rs. 20,000 salary hike and to revise the salary to Rs. 25,000 matching that of executive officers, continues for the second consecutive day today. 

The two-day trade union action was launched yesterday with the participation of the trade unions of postal, Grama Niladharis, surveyors, Samurdhi, District and Divisional Secretaries, and education officers. 

It is reported that most public offices are empty due to the strike action, with all the non-executive level services not reporting for duties today, severely inconveniencing the public.

General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin said teachers and principals of all schools are engaged in the trade union action and have reported sick today, affecting the academic activities of school children.

He further said that, however, they are continuing the practical tests of the GCE Ordinary Level Examination.

Meanwhile, Postal employees have reported sick for duty, while only executive grade and administrative officers have reported for duty, resulting in the Central Mail Exchange and several main post offices closing.

The striking trade unions have requested the people not to come to receive the services of public institutions today. (Newswire)

The post State sector affected by major strike appeared first on Newswire.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has announced that the trade union action launched by teachers and principals will continue tomorrow as well. 

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin told the media that all teachers and principals will report sick and will refrain from reporting to duty on Thursday (June 27).

Joseph Stalin further said the decision had been taken to protest the firing of tear gas and water cannons by the Police to disperse the protest that had been staged by CTU trade union members in Colombo today. 

School teachers and principals had reported sick and refrained from duty today, over several demands, including salary anomalies, resulting in over 10,000 schools being forced to close. 

Simultaneously, members of the CTU trade unions staged a protest march from Fort Railway Station to Lotus Road in Colombo after which the Police resorted to firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. (Newswire)

The post Teachers- principals strike to continue tomorrow appeared first on Newswire.

At least 10,026 state schools were forced to close today due to a strike action launched by teachers and principals over salary anomalies, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Joseph Stalin said.

Addressing the media today, Joseph Stalin urged the authorities to address their demands, including salary issues faced by teachers and principals, and issues faced concerning paper-marking charges. 

He further said that the strike action launched today is being carried out by teachers, principals, and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, which consists of 30 trade unions. 

Pointing out the impact on the school system due to the ongoing strike, Joseph Stalin urged the authorities to resolve their issues soon. 

Meanwhile, a protest march is underway by several teachers and principal unions in Colombo over several demands, including salary anomalies. 

Traffic congestion has been reported near Olcott Mawatha opposite the Fort Railway Station and Lotus Road in Colombo. (Newswire)

The post 10,000 schools closed today due to strike – Stalin appeared first on Newswire.

The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) has alleged that a school in Kundasale has been named after former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in violation of an Education Ministry circular, it was reported. 

CTU Secretary Joseph Stalin pointed out that as per the Education Ministry circular issued in 1996 schools cannot be named after a living person. 

He further said that immediate action must be taken against naming a school after a living individual.

The appeal comes as the former Keheliya Rambukwella is currently in remand custody over the illegal importation of substandard stocks of Immune Globulin vaccines under his tenure as the Minister of Health.

In November last year, the Criminal Investigations Department commenced an investigation into allegations that a pharmaceutical company had imported 22,500 vials of substandard Immune Globulin vaccines by creating forged documents with the assistance of two senior state officials from the Health Ministry.

Investigations at the time revealed that financial fraud of Rs. 130 million had occurred via the imports of the said substandard medicine. (NewsWire)

The post “Keheliya Rambukwella primary school” CTU demands name removal appeared first on Newswire.