All SLEAS - I vacancies to be filled

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Initiatives are being conducted by the Education Ministry to fill all vacancies prevailing in Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service Grade I (SLEAS -I), by the end of August, the Secretory to the Education Ministry Nimal Bandara told the Daily News.

According to Education Ministry sources, 198 Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service Grade I vacancies now exist.

No step had been taken by the relevant authorities for over eight years to fill these vacancies until 24 Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service Grade II officials were promoted to the Sri Lanka Education administrative Service Grade I on June 29, 2009.

Owing to several reasons such as legal action by some trade unions or not having the proper mechanism the Education Ministry has failed to fill these vacancies.

The deficiency has caused a major hindrance to the smooth operation of the Education System. For the smooth functioning of the education system 200 SLEAS Grade I officials have to be appointed.

The key posts of the education system such as Provincial Directors, Assistant Provincial Directors, Zonal Education Directors and nearly 20 principals of major schools are appointed from among SLEAS Grade I officials. ”However, 19 out of the 24 educationists who obtained the SLEAS Grade I are now on pension.