Teachers, Dons have no moral right to TU action

H M Abeysinghe- Kuliyapitiya group corr

"Neither teachers nor university Dons have a moral right to take trade union action, taking students hostage in effect as they all are products of free education.

"Every citizen has contributed at least Rs 50 for their education," the Minister of Environment Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.

He was speaking at a ceremony held to mark the laying of the foundation stone of a new Secondary Science Laboratory in Giri/Dodampotta Kanishta Vidyalaya.

The Minister said, "No other country in the world offered free education as we do to our students.

"From Year I to the university degree, they study free of charge. From Year I to GCE (A/L) they get free text books and free school uniforms. Every one who holds high posts in the public and private sectors including Parliamentarians studied from the funds spent by the people.

"So they all are duty bound to serve the people and their children as a mark of honour."

The Minister said, "The success or failure of a school depends mainly on the management skills of the principal.

"If the principal is weak and does not possess management capabilities even a developed school may have to be closed in a few years. On the other hand, even if a school is on the verge of closure could be developed as a popular school within a short period provided the Principal is dedicated, clever and possess proper management skills."