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SLEAS Class III and its plight

Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers are in fact supervisors and superiors of Sri Lanka Principal Service Officers and Sri Lanka Teachers Service Officers. Because SLEAS is an islandwide service and its officers are barred from politics as SLAS officers.

Whilst comparing the salary scales of SLEAS officers with that of SLPS and SLTS officers, the former is ashamed of the unreasonable and poorest salary scales they are paid with, without any revisal for a long time. Especially the SLEAS Class III officials.

Most of the SLEAS Class III officials are Assistant Directors of Education who are expected to carry out and promote the education standards and supervise the implementation of the new education reforms in schools.

Prior to the establishment of Principals Service in 1995, the salary scale of the SLEAS Class 3 officials was higher than that of the Principal Service Grade officials. Herebelow given the scales before and after the establishment of Principal Service:-

Before the establishment of Principal Service:-

1. SLEAS Class III - Rs. 36,000 - 15x1,200 - 54,000. R-5-1
2. Principal Grade I - Rs. 33,000 - 6x900 - 3x1,200 - 42,000.

After the establishment of Principal Service:-

1. SLEAS Class III - Rs. 97,500 - 15x2,700 - 138,000. T-5-1-2
2. Principal Gd. II/I - Rs. 117,000 - 10x5,520 - 173,160. T-16-5
3. Principal Gd. I - Rs. 123,480 - 10x5520 - 178,680. T-15-5

Anyone come across this could notice that the SLEAS Class III salary scale is far below that of SLPS Grade II and I. Practically the former are supervisors and superiors of the latter two.

Because of this lower salary scale of SLEAS Class III the principals and teachers do not recognise the SLEAS Class III officials. As a result of this mockery, they are frustrated.

At this juncture how the state could expect effective and true service from the SLEAS Class III officials to carryout the new education reforms islandwide. SLEAS Class III officials are not against the fair deal to principals but feel this fair deal should not humiliate them by salarywise.

Next important thing to be stressed is the Political Victimisation Channel. It is called Channel because it helps numerous teachers and principals with no adequate academic or professional qualifications absorbed into SLEAS very easily.

Actually SLEAS was regarded estimable service and expected to promote the education system and implement new educational reform of this country to prepare the future generation to face challenges of the third millennium. Now the hope came upside down because of the dumping of PVV into SLEAS Class III.

Recruitment of SLEAS especially for SLEAS Class III was traditionally done by open and limited competitive examinations.

In the past the SLEAS was regarded a service with eligible and capable personnels. But now personnels to SLEAS III are taken through various means. These are:

1. Open competitive examination,
2. Limited competitive examinations,
3. Absorption from lecturers of Training Colleges, Colleges of Education and other institutions,
4. Absorption from principals,
5. Absorption through political victimisation channel and
6. Any other means that pleases the Public Service Commission.

Because of these dumping and jumping into SLEAS Class II there are so many salary scales among them. The basic salary scale for SLEAS CLass III is Rs. 8125 a month.

But the grade I principals who jumped into SLEAS Class III draw a big salary scale equal to that of SLEAS Class I officials and those who dumped into PV channel get only their basic of Rs. 8125 or their lesser salary they drew in their earlier careers.

Not only the recruitment system for SLEAS Class III is redicule but also their uneven salary scales.

The Education Service Committee of the Public Service Commission in January 2002 promoted a reasonable Grade III Principals to Grade II considering their seniority and merit and granted them with a revised salary scale with effect from 1.6.1996.

But Section 4 of the revised salary scale letter says "the new salary scale will be given only after you accepted a post to suit the scale". At the same time the appointment letter dated March 29 2000 given to the new SLEAS Class III officers says in Section 12...."that they cannot go back to the former post or service after confirmation in their new (SLEAS) service".

These two sections conflict with each other. These two conflicting letters are given by the same ESC of the PSC. As a result of this, a reasonable number of former Grade III principals (presently serving as SLEAS officials) who received the new salary scale letters are unable to obtain their revised salary scale for the due period between 1.6.1996 and 4.1.1999, they served as Grade III principals.

They are entitled and deserved for the revised salary scale for the period mentioned above though they are no more principals at present. Those who were taken into SLEAS Class III from Principal Grade III are unable to go back to the former service to obtain the revised higher salary in that service because of the conflicting two sections of the ESC of PSC.

(If the President, the Prime Minister, Ex-Minister of Education) and his present Government and Ministry of Education needs the SLEAS Class III's prompt and wilful service to run the new educational reform a successful one, they must repeal those who conflicting sections of ESC and revise their salary scale, in an acceptable and reasonable way with effect from January 18, 1994 the date on which the principals' salary scale was revised.

Or at least implement the proposals of Tissa Devendra Salary Revisal Commission for the SLEAS cadre as an interim remedy.

It's unfair to the President and Her present government expecting agitations, boycottings, pickettings, walk outs, hunger strikes or any other methods and ways as the medicinal doctors and the personnels of judicial service, health service, transport service and other public services used to follow to meet their demands, from the SLEAS Class III officials before look into their plight.

Sri Lankan economy will never be sunk as Titanic by redressing the grievances of a few hundred SLEAS Class III officials. Would President use her executive power to redress this or advise promptly her present government in this regard?

S. RUPERT - 
Colombo 6.

VAT from school fees

On behalf of scores of parents who are desirous of seeking relief from the Government, I wish to appeal to the Minister of Education, and through him to the Government to remove the VAT from school fees charged by the Private Schools and other International Schools.

It is regretted that VAT is charged for the formal education in these schools and the parents find it an additional burden on them to meet this tax.

One may ask if these parents can afford the fees charged by these institutions why can't they pay the tax. But, it should be noted that not all these parents have admitted their children to these private Institutions out of prestige or high-mindedness but entirely out of compulsion and due to no alternative!

As we all know, seeking admission to national schools have been always an uphill task and often painful. Parents undergo untold hardships in seeking admission, and very often they are subjected to severe disappointment and dismay in the end.

After all the travails and tribulations faced, leaving the parents with the 'Hobson's choice' - to admit the children in private schools.

In this context, just because the children are educated in Private/International Schools it should not be construed as they belong to the affluent of the ssociety and, therefore, they should bear it.

Vast of majority of these parents belong to the working class and were compelled to seek education to their children, at least, in these Institutions as they had no alternative!

As it is the government policy to provide free education, I believe, so long as it is the formal education, it shouldn't matter where it is taught but the government should support it.

The people, especially the ordinary people/the working class earnestly hope that the government's patronage is provided, no matter where it is taught. Today the masses are severely burdened with a heavy cost of living.

Prices of essential items are rising and we, the working class battle to make the ends meet. Regrettably, with the dawn of the New Year already a 'Shell' bomb has exploded.

And, it is very likely that many more such 'VAT' inspired-explosions will occur, sooner or later thus making the already unbearable burden on the masses heavier!

Therefore, on behalf of the scores of parents, vast majority of whom are from the working class, I wish to appeal to the Minister of Education and through him to the government to remove the VAT from the school fees charged by the Private/International Schools for the formal education, i.e. Gr. I to O/L and A/L education. I am sure thousands of parents with the same plight join me in this appeal.

We do hope this appeal from the deserving parents would receive the sympathetic consideration of the government and help lighten the burden on the parents in these days of extreme difficulties faced by the people in making the ends meet!

EPHHAR M - 
Moratuwa.

The blind policemen

Everyday we see dozens of policemen on 'duty' on city roads. They are often in twos or threes and are often seen at junctions.

I have observed many instances where these officers who are supposed to be on duty turn 'a blind eye' to traffic offences committed before their own eyes.

It is well-known that at certain places along the centre island on Galle Road vehicles from only one side are permitted to turn right, motorists can see the no right turn sign boards installed.

In Wellawatte there are three such places, opposite Savoy Cinema, opposite Arethusa Church and opposite Ceylon Inns Hotel all these places one often sees policemen on duty on the pavement (not traffic policemen). They are supposed to be on beat duty.

Many motorists and three-wheel drivers turn onto the opposite side in front of the policemen when they are not supposed to do so.

It may not be possible to impose spot fines on the errant drivers, but at least they can 'blow their whistle' and signed them not to do the wrong thing rather than turn a blind eye - it is a disgrace to the uniform if they continue to do so.

Let us hope the new IG reminds his officers what their duties are.

Tilak Fernando - 
Colombo 6.

Teaching posts for graduates

The Ministry of Education has drawn up a programme to train graduates for teaching certain subjects in English medium in government schools. The Ministry has already published a Gazette notification calling for applications and selection will be made on the results of a written test.

This will, no doubt be some consolation to many unemployed graduates who have been fighting tooth and nail in the past for government jobs. However, according to the Gazette notification, this is confined to the graduates in the age group of 22-30 years. This is very unfair as many graduates who are qualified in every other respects are unable to apply because of this age barrier.

We can recall that during the insurgency period, studies of many undergraduates were delayed and disrupted and they had to wait for another three or four to complete their studies and sit for the final exam.

Accordingly, a student who got through his Advance Level exam in 1990 was able to get himself admitted to a University only in 1993 because of the chaotic conditions and unrest that prevailed during this period. As a result, he could get his degree only in 1996 or 1997 at the age of 27 or 28 years.

Since 1997 to date, no teacher appointment has been given to Arts graduates and all these years what they did was to engage in sporadic campaigns against governments asking for government jobs. Now this group of graduates have reached the age of 33 years and sadly they are disqualified from applying for these posts.

On the other hand, some Provincial Councils have called for applications from graduates for teaching appointments and they have fixed the upper age limit at 35 or 40 years. There should not be any disparity in the age limits when selecting candidates for equal posts in the Education Department or in the Provincial Councils.

It is therefore nothing but fair to extend the upper age limit to 35 years and avoid the frustration and anguish of these graduates.

G. KuDAHETTY - 
Matara.

Our cricket - the bigger picture

The letter of our English fan who came to Sri Lanka to witness the cricket matches had highlighted the state of the toilets and catering services rendered on Galle grounds. We may lose foreign exchange, if this situation persists in the near future too.

It is really shameful and negligent to have rendered such facilities, when the Board of Cricket knew before hand that fans were coming from all over the world to witness those matches in Sri Lanka.

I hope they take necessary arrangements when such matches are played to render the best catering services from the best hotel in that city or get down such services from Colombo. Our goods advertisers our culture as well, and this would be a golden opportunity to display it.

Let's hope the Cricket Board or even the Tourism Board go into action, when the next international matches are played in Sri Lanka.

Y.W - 
Kalubowila.

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