Ministry uproots old guards

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Education Ministry has taken a policy decision to transfer all teachers who have been serving in the same National School for more than 10 years, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

A Education Ministry survey has revealed that certain teachers have been serving in the same National School until their retirement since their first appointment.

The survey has revealed that 50 percent of teachers are serving in the same National School for more than 10 years.

"These teachers will be transferred with immediate effect to other National Schools after considering the teacher shortage and teacher requirements," the Minister said.

The Education Minister will table a Cabinet paper this week to seek Cabinet approval for teacher transfers.

After receiving Cabinet approval, the Education Ministry will commence the teacher transferring process while ensuring the smooth functioning of the school system.

It has also been reported that certain National School teachers, especially in Colombo and suburbs, are trying to get transfers to another National School in the same area to avoid difficult areas.

However the Education Ministry will balance teacher availability in schools to ensure an equal opportunity for learning for every student, sources said.