June 17, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announced during the inauguration of the new three-storey Faculty of Technology building at Natathandiya Dhammissara College that teachers would have the opportunity to opt for a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) after five years due to the absence of students in Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) classes.
He emphasised the importance of teachers and principals actively participating in school activities without resorting to strikes.
Premajayantha highlighted the challenges in schools, noting that students may not enrol in GCE O/L and A/L classes within the next five years due to the current educational environment in government schools.
He stressed that students must continue to pass exams and seek knowledge through alternative means.
The Minister expressed concern that some students might choose to leave government schools and enrol in private institutions or pursue education abroad.
“The students will explore other avenues for their education as long as the issues concerning teachers and principals remain unresolved,” Premajayantha remarked.
