• CTU urges prog. to recruit grads. from NCEs & unis

The Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) claimed that only 20% of the required number of psychology and counseling teachers is currently in schools. Meeting this requirement could significantly help control issues such as child suicide, child abuse, and drug addiction, the CTU opined.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, CTU President Priyantha Fernando said that two circulars, issued in 2016 and 2023, propose that the teacher cadre in schools should include psychology and counseling teachers in numbers proportional to each student population of schools. 

“It is because there is a rise in child suicide, child abuse, and the use of drugs among schoolchildren that this proposal was made. But, there is only 20% of the required number in schools.”

As there are an adequate number of qualified individuals from National Colleges of Education (NCEs) and universities, he said that there should be a programme to fill the existing number of vacancies. 

“Psychology and counselling are taught at these colleges. There are related degrees offered by universities too. If the remaining 80% of teachers are recruited, we will be able to get many issues under control,” he said. However, he said that there is no programme currently in place to make the relevant recruitments.

Education Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara was not available for comment.

Over recent years, there have been numerous incidents of schoolchildren, including those from both government, semi-government, and international schools committing suicide, often driven by prolonged mental distress and various personal struggles. Alongside these cases, issues such as child abuse and drug use among young people have also seen an alarming rise.