Doctors, teachers strikes uncalled for - Premier

Mohammed NAALIR

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka yesterday expressed his displeasure over strikes by some doctors and teachers eventhough they play a pivotal role making an invaluable contribution to the society.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka was speaking after launching the magazine "Evaluation guidelines and Examination" at his office. He said when he was a student, he never experienced strike by teachers. But contrary to the basic principle, today's teachers and doctors are frequently striking forgetting their role to the society," he said.

He commended the Education Ministry and the Education Department service with World Bank funding to launch the guideline for G.C.E (O\L) students.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the guideline will see a considerable change in the progress of the education standards of students. "Teachers and students will also benefit from the guideline", he said. It will also be helpful to parents in evaluating the students' education standards".

The obstacles in promoting the standards of G.C.E (O\L) will decline considerably, he added.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka said teachers frequently go on strikes eventhough they know they are the path finders of the society. He said teachers must not engage in strikes which harm the future generation.

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the World Bank funded Rs. 60 million for this programme.

The number getting through the G.C.E (O\L)and (A\L) have increased a considerably due to the correct moves taken in the Education Ministry, the Minister said. The G.C.E (O\L) and (A\L) results in 2007 increased by 50 per cent and 60 per cent, he said.