June 26, Colombo (LNW): Teachers and principals unions initiated a sick leave campaign on Wednesday (26), protesting the government’s failure to address salary discrepancies.
Joseph Stalin, Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, announced that a protest will be held at the Fort Railway Station at 11 am on Wednesday (26), with participation from principals, teachers, and educators. He stated that the government should be held accountable for the disruption caused to the school system by the sick leave campaign.
Stalin highlighted that the government had provided only one-third of the salary increase recommended by a special committee appointed to address salary disparities in the principal and teacher services last year. The trade union action demands that the government provide the remaining two-thirds of the recommended salary.
He pointed out that a government sub-committee had acknowledged issues within the teacher and principal salary structure and proposed solutions within six months. However, progress has stalled.
Stalin further criticized the government’s reliance on parents to shoulder additional education costs, arguing that such practices contradict the principles of a free education system.
