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Over 400 trained teachers stay away from new postings

by Manjula Fernando

Over 400 trained teachers out of the 2000 who passed from education colleges last year have not reported to their new postings, Education Services Commission (ESC) sources told the Daily News yesterday.

The Education Ministry will reimburse Rs.35,000 as damages from these trainees who failed to report to their postings within the required one month. "They will be considered to have vacated post," sources said.

These teachers were appointed between July and August 2002, a little delayed than usual due to financial constraints of the ministry. Although the appointment letters mention that the new teachers must report to their schools within a month, over 400 teachers have not assumed duties as yet, according to the ESC.

Sources said students at colleges of education undergo intense training in IT and English in addition to a particular subject for three years. A batch of Sinhala and Tamil medium teachers from the 2001 group were the first to receive training on using English as a mode of instruction, as part of the Government's programme to re-introduced English medium in state schools. They receive free accommodation during training.

The trainees must enter a bond which compels them to serve three years in difficult area schools, in any part of the country, in return for their 'free training'.

"Thus, the Ministry can claim damages from these teachers," the sources said.

Meanwhile, some new trained teachers of the 2001 batch, said a large percentage had received their first appointment to schools in the North Central Province. "This came as a surprise. and we think this is the main reason for a lot of absentees," they said.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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