Investigations leading investigators ‘nowhere’ at Dehiattakandiya National School

• Ministry of Education is now taking steps to initiate a formal investigation into the fraud and corruption at Dehiattakandiya National School
• Audit officers of the Ministry of Education made a visit to the school, but their findings have sparked controversy

The Daily Mirror newspaper recently reported on the misdeeds occurring at the only Sinhalese National School in Dehiattakandiya Education Zone of Ampara District. It is also evident that, following the article’s publication, education authorities have given these issues at the school careful consideration.  

At present, the Ministry of Education has entrusted Duminda Peiris, Dehiattakandiya Zonal Director of Education, with the authority to allocate surplus teachers from Dehiattakandiya National School to provincial schools. This was done according to advice provided by the Minister of Education and the Secretary of Education, aiming to address the teacher shortage in national schools across Sri Lanka. Dehiattakandiya Zonal Director of Education was informed in this regard through a letter signed by S.N Malaviarachchi, Additional Secretary (School Development), in lieu of the Secretary to the Ministry of Education.  

Peiris commenting on the newspaper article said the following: “Despite the widespread teacher shortage in Sri Lanka, we consistently raised concerns with the Ministry of Education regarding the fraudulent and corrupt practices at Dehiattakandiya National School. This newspaper has highlighted issues of teacher redundancy and the prevalent harms to education. Last week, the Daily Mirror also reported on these matters. Consequently, the Ministry

of Education is now taking steps to initiate a formal investigation into the fraud and corruption at Dehiattakandiya National School. “I have requested the Ministry of Education in writing to conduct a thorough investigation into corruption allegations against the school’s principal. I have suggested that, in the meantime, the principal be replaced until the investigation is concluded. If a qualified replacement is not available, I have proposed appointing an administrative officer from the zonal office, either temporarily or permanently, to fulfil the role,” Peiris said   

Commenting on this, Neil Perera, a former Auditor of the Development Committee of Dehiattakandiya National School, said that a formal audit had not been done at the school since 2015-2016. “The school’s discipline has deteriorated. Despite a Ministry of Education circular prohibiting the consumption of betel nut at the school premises, the principal of Dehiattakandiya National School, along with certain teachers and the watchman, openly chew betel nut within the school. This lack of discipline is evident. When comparing the outcome of the exam results Dehiattakandiya National School ranks between 12th and 14th among schools in the Dehiattakandiya zone producing the lowest academic performance. Sandunpura and Ratmalkandura schools and lesser known schools in the same zone produce better academic achievements. Despite being zonal schools they offer quality education to their students. If only Dehiattakandiya National School at least held 4th or 5th position, it might lead to an improved situation. The quality of school education has been on the decline for the past decade. With this decline capable teachers within the school were ready for a change, but they have no place in school. Senior teachers remain in administrative roles, thereby exerting influence on capable teachers. There is no financial management in the school, with expenditures occurring without proper oversight. Financial audits have not been conducted, and audit reports from the 2015-2016 fiscal years were only finalised in 2018. Subsequently, no further reports have been produced, and financial accounts have remained unexamined. Following this, audit officers of the Ministry of Education made a visit, but their findings have sparked controversy. Despite having intentions to present witnesses during these investigations, the officials involved ultimately said that certain individuals within the school were trying to bribe them,” said Perera.  

Furthermore, under the guise of constructing the school’s playground, soil has been excavated and sold. There is also no data regarding computers and other equipment allocated to the classes that cater to students with special needs. The whereabouts of those items remain unknown. The entire community of Dehiattakandiya is aware of the conduct exhibited by the officials who came to investigate on these matters. These are Mahaweli lands and the school received 30 acres. However, when the land was officially designated to the school a portion spanning five acres was registered under the name of a former teacher and documents were prepared and transferred. Recently, an order for a land survey was issued to ascertain the boundaries of the land owned by the school. Only 25 acres were surveyed as the former teacher in question had reportedly taken possession of around five acres and even sold a segment of it. The principal has maintained silence over these issues. Another issue arose concerning the school’s bus. While an outside bus charges 50,000 rupees for a trip for students the school bus demands 75,000 rupees for the same distance. Transparency in this matter is absent. In 2015, the school expanded its classes and admitted 5th-grade students sans approval from the Ministry of Education. Currently, another investigation is underway to address this issue. Additionally, when the school acquired a 3-wheeler there was an attempt to register it under the principal’s name. Perera added that securing the vehicle’s registration in the school’s name proved to be a challenge; despite having acquired the necessary funds for its purchase.   

Many complaints against the school

The School Audit Reports are compiled by an auditor named Chandra Kumar. The person for this post is appointed by the School Development Society. Kumar said, “I am responsible for preparing audit reports for Dehiattakandiya National School. After 2015-2016, no account reports have been submitted. There have been no financial records over the years. I completed the audit up until the 2018-2019 period and work on the 2020-2021 report is in progress. After officials of the Ministry of Education made their visit I have been urged to prepare these audit reports immediately. However, I am faced with challenges due to certain bills generating many financial issues. I was a former government audit officer and the Ministry of Education accepts the audit reports produced by me,” said Kumar.   

A senior teacher from Dehiattakandiya National School also shared thoughts about the school with this newspaper. “The school’s educational results are achieved thanks to tuition. However, due to the lack of proper attention to students the school has experienced a deterioration in discipline. Inadequate measures are in place for addressing student mistakes. While national school teachers are prohibited from participating in examination duties the zonal education office seems to work contrary to these regulations. The Zonal Education Office should also be made responsible for certain incidents occurring at Dehiattakandiya National School. The reason for the absence of teacher transfers is that there are no suitable schools. In the event that surplus teachers from the school are transferred and replaced by zonal teachers, they should be made permanent within the national school. Giving attached appointments could lead to numerous issues,” the senior teacher said.   

This newspaper approached Eastern Province Education Secretary, H E M W Anura Dissanayake. In response, the secretary said that several allegations have been brought to light regarding Dehiattakandiya National School. He added that as the Provincial Secretary, he cannot intervene directly in the operations of the National School.  
When this newspaper spoke to Lakshman Premakumara, the Additional Secretary for Discipline at the Ministry of Education, to find out whether any complaints were received regarding the discipline of teachers at Dehiattakandiya National School it was revealed that a complaint pertaining to discipline had been received in August 2022. He added that there is an ongoing investigation into the said complaint and he cannot provide further details until the inquiries are concluded.

No neighbouring national school to transfer teachers

This writer also made inquiries from S.N Malaviarachchi, Additional Secretary (School Development) at the Ministry of Education, regarding teacher transfers at Dehiattakandiya National School and the allegations associated with the school.  
“I would like to address the matter concerning teachers. As there is no neighbouring national school, teachers at Dehiattakandiya National School cannot be transferred. That is why the same teacher remains at the school for numerous years. I sent a letter to the zonal director, suggesting that if an excess of teachers exists at the national school, they should be transferred to provincial schools and the excess of teachers in provincial schools should be transferred to the national school. At present an investigation is underway concerning the principal of Dehiattakandiya National School. In light of the recent incidents, a separate investigative team will visit the school in the upcoming days. There are complaints against this school. The school has faced prior investigations as well; including a visit by Administration Additional Secretary. Multiple issues have been raised against the principal of Dehiattakandiya National School. However, I am uncertain about the outcomes of these investigations. I recommend reaching out to the National School Director, Pradeepa Samarasinghe. During my tenure, I conducted investigations into these matters and even dispatched a team,” she added.  
This newspaper then reached out to Pradeepa Samarasinghe, Director in charge of National Schools, regarding the matter. She said that there is no investigation being carried out into the alleged irregularities, corruption, or fraudulent activities at Dehiattakandiya National School. “Such an inquiry is not currently underway. I will discuss this issue with Mrs. Malaviarachchi,” she added.