Teachers, principals alliance to launch school protests tomorrow against President’s threats

Colombo, June 30 (Daily Mirror) - Following discussions, the Teachers and Principals Alliance, has decided to launch protests in front of schools tomorrow against the threats by the President instead of providing solutions to issues in the education system, Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

He told the media that on June 26 the teachers and principals held a sick leave campaign and held a protest at Colombo Fort.

"Unfortunately, we were attacked by the government. Then we decided to continue our sick leave campign on June 27 as well.

"Now we have decided to hoist black banners and flags in front of every school to show our opposition to the government," Stalin said.

Another protest after school hours has been organized for Tuesday against the President's statement, demanding solutions to issues affecting teachers and principals, and opposing the government's move to shift the financial burden of school education to the parents, he said.

"Next Friday (5th), the Teachers and Principals Alliance has decided to have a joint discussion with all government and private trade unions on the threats made by the President. This government's actions should be stopped. We condemn the methods used by the Zonal Education Directors and Governors to suppress the teachers' and principals' strikes. Whatever happens, we will move forward until our demands are met. The President's statements are not relevant to us," Stalin said.

Pix by Nisal Baduge