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Education Ombudsman gets wider powers

by Manjula Fernando

The Education Ombudsman will have an enhanced role with wider powers concerning Grade One admissions in future. A spokesman for the Education Ministry said the ombudsman can now issue orders to principals and take decisions concerning admissions if the child is deemed to have fulfilled the required criteria.

If the child gets rejected in the initial admissions procedure, parents can appeal to the school 'Objections Board'. This four member panel comprises the school principal, vice principal and two members of the staff. If the parents still feel they have not been served justice, two weeks after the final selection list has been published by the school, they can appeal to the Education ombudsman who will inquire and direct the principal to act accordingly even if it will exceed the stipulated number of children (40) per class. The Education Ministry has also revised the grade one admissions circular to grant additional placements in popular schools for teachers' children.

The priority list quota in the circular has been revised to accommodate 4 per cent for children of the academic staff. Earlier this clause which included children of education officials had only 3 per cent. Teachers currently serving in difficult area schools get double priority under this revised circular.

However, a staffer must complete three years of service to be eligible to enrol their children in the same school.

The Grade one admission circular and model applications for 2004 will be published in the Dinamina on June 4.

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