AL paper marking: Minister appeals TU support

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: Education Minister Susil Premajayanth yesterday appealed to all segments in the education sector not to exacerbate the present problem of the A/L paper marking boycott, by resorting to further trade union action.

“We have enough time and awaiting the recommendation of the standing committee appointed under the direction of Salaries and Cadre Committee to resolve the problem of salary anomalies of the Education sector” the Minister said addressing a media conference at “ Isurupaya “ yesterday.

He said that a discussion was held yesterday with members of the Salaries and Cadre Commission following the Cabinet directions to accelerate the process of remedying the existing salary anomalies of the teaching service and the Ministry was awaiting guidelines to settle the issue.

The Minister assured that the related circular will be issued before January 01, 2008 and it will be implemented thereafter.

He said that the costs involved in redressing their present anomalies would amount to a staggering Rs. 9,154 million.

Referring to the Court order Premajayanth said that the Commissioner of Examinations and Inspector General of Police are bound to facilitate the marking of G.C.E. A/Level answer scripts without further delay and it will commence today according to the arrangements made by the Department of Examinations.

A Teacher’s Union Representative speaking to the “Daily News” said even though the talks had failed to achieve any constructive answers to their grievances the Union were open for further discussions with the intention for a amicable settlement. He further added their planned One Day token strike will be held as scheduled.