Will make service of teachers and principals essential if needed: President

Colombo, June 27 (Daily Mirror) - For the education of the country's children, teachers should definitely stay in the schools in the morning. If this does not happen in the future and schoolchildren are deprived of their education, necessary steps will be taken to make the service of teachers and principals essential, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

The President said this today when he visited the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters.

Teachers and principals should act as role models for the children and work for their future. When teachers join agitations and strikes, it is important to consider their ability to provide guidance and advice to the children.

The existing crisis has not affected the entire teaching service, he said, and he also mentioned that he had received information indicating that only a group of teachers with certain political agendas are involved in the crisis, tarnishing the reputation of the entire teaching profession.

"This situation is only seen in Sinhalese schools," said the President, who appreciated the commitment of Tamil, Muslim, and private schools to continue education for children.

The President further said that information has been reported about school security guards diverting the children, and the Inspector General of Police has been instructed to enforce the law regarding such incidents.