Educators slam govt. for ‘unprepared’ education reforms
Teachers, principals and education professionals have said the government is unprepared to roll out proposed education reforms scheduled to take effect from next week, and warned of nationwide trade union action if the plans are implemented without adequate consultation and preparation.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo, President of the Association of Education Professionals, Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, said Ministry officials had indicated that the reforms would be implemented from Monday, 05 January, but claimed that the vast majority of educators were opposed to the move.
“More than 90 percent of teachers say they have not received proper training on the new syllabus or the proposed reforms,” Ven. Sumangala Thera said. He alleged that the government was attempting to suppress opposition from teachers and principals by declaring school holidays, instead of addressing their concerns.
“If the government continues with these tactics, we will have no option but to resort to trade union action at a national level,” he warned.
Meanwhile, representatives of 16 teachers’ and principals’ unions who visited the Ministry of Education at Isurupaya on Monday to seek clarification on the reforms were turned away by security officials, reportedly on the grounds that prior appointments were required.
Speaking to the media outside the Ministry, Amila Sandaruwan of the Teacher Principals’ Collective said the delegation had attempted to raise their concerns during the Public Day allocated for visitors. “We wanted to know how these reforms are to be implemented and sought to meet the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, but we were barred,” he said.
Sandaruwan accused the Government of proceeding in an “adamant” manner and claimed the reforms were being driven by a handful of non-governmental organisations closely associated with senior ministry officials. “We will not allow this to happen,” he said.
Graded Principals’ Association representative Nimal Mudunkotuwa said widespread confusion prevailed among teachers and school administrators regarding the practical aspects of implementing the reforms. “There is no clarity on school hours—whether schools are to close at 1.30 p.m. as before, or continue until 2.00 p.m. as proposed,” he said.
He added that uncertainty also remained over the number of daily teaching periods, with conflicting statements suggesting either seven or eight periods. “Schools have yet to receive syllabus modules from the Ministry, and many schools lack smart boards and internet connectivity required to implement these reforms,” Mudunkotuwa said.
Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera strongly criticised the proposed reforms, describing them as “bastard reforms,” and accused the NPP Government of undermining the education system. He also raised objections to a unit in the proposed Grade Six English syllabus dealing with gay and lesbian relationships, claiming that senior Buddhist prelates, the Catholic Cardinal and other religious leaders had opposed its inclusion.
“The Government refuses to listen even to religious leaders,” he said.
Concerns were also raised at a National Sangha Council meeting held in Colombo on Monday evening at the Colombo Foundation Institute, organised to discuss the objectives of the proposed reforms. Addressing the gathering, Professor Venerable Induragare Dhammaratana Thera said the reforms required extensive discussion, consultation with subject experts and consideration of the experience of senior administrators.
He warned that the proposed changes could trigger the biggest crisis currently facing the country. “Implementing these reforms in this manner will harm future generations and could even destroy the present Government,” he said, likening the process to “forcing a round peg into a square hole.”
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