• Cite salary anomalies in teachers-principals service   

The Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) is to commence a series of union actions from today (20) onwards, demanding solutions for issues in the education sector, including salary anomalies in the teachers-principals service.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (19), CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that the series of protests is to commence from Kandy today and is to be continued in all parts of the island. He noted that the unions representing teachers and principals are planning to launch a strike if they do not receive solutions for the demands. 

He further stated that only one third of the salary increments, which have been recommended by the relevant committee appointed by the Education Ministry, have been given by the Ministry thus far, and that therefore, the rest of the increments must be allocated immediately to resolve the issues spanning decades. 

“As per the said committee’s report, the need to address the salary anomalies has been highlighted, and several recommendations have been proposed. But, the Government has allocated funds that are sufficient to provide only one third of the required amount. After a long struggle, we were able to win it. But, last year (2023), the Education Minister promised to allocate Rs. 42 billion to address the issue. But, they didn’t do so,” he said. 

Stalin added that the union action aims to urge the Government to control the pressure exerted on parents due to high expenditures on education, which has led many students to give up their education. He claimed that the union actions will be supported by the majority of the parents as well.

Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera was not available for comment.