Acting principals won't be Principals

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

Principal service vacancies in government schools will not be filled with acting Principals in the future, an Education Ministry official said.

The Education Ministry has taken this policy decision considering certain issues related to school administration.

Examinations to fill vacancies in the principal service will be held regularly and acting principals will not be appointed in the future, the official said.

In accordance with the Principal Service Minute, examinations are to be held yearly to fill vacancies in the Principal Service. Even though the examination has not been held for several years, teachers have been appointed for several schools as acting principals to fill vacancies in the principal service.

Meanwhile, acting principals who fulfil qualifications will be absorbed to the Principal Service Grade 2-11 and Grade 3. According to Education Ministry statistics over 2,250 acting principals serve in schools throughout the country. The Cabinet has also granted approval to absorb qualified officers to the Principal Service. The Selection process will be done by interviews in due course.