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Minister directs suspension of controversial circular

by Manjula Fernando

A National Education Commission in a recent report has identified that two circulars issued in 1996 and 1999 on school rationalisation has been an indirect cause for the permanent closure of certain provincial schools.

Education Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku said the Provincial Authorities has exploited this circular issued in good faith so as to close down schools irrationally to fulfil their political desires.

The Minister has directed the Education Secretary V.K.Nanayakkara to suspend these controversial circulars, with immediate effect. They allow the provincial authorities to affiliate schools with low student population with another school in the area and close the former confining to the 'accepted norms and guidelines'.

Nearly 500 schools under the purview of the Provincial Councils had been closed since 1996 taking cover of these circulars giving various reasons by the authorities. Parents and other parties raised concerns over this issue which led to a study by the NEC.

Their report was submitted to Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku recently.

Among the other reasons identified by the NEC as reasons for many school closures are the diminishing child population, resource constraints and cadre shortage.

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