University Dons violate sabbatical bonds

• Steps would be taken to recruit retired lecturers to fill the current shortage

By Kelum Bandara

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that a large number of university teachers who went abroad on sabbatical leave had violated their bonds by not returning to the country.    

Making his remarks to Daily Mirror, he said it, among others, had contributed to the current dearth of university teachers in the country. However, he said he had no off-hand details about the exact number of those who violated bonds.   University teachers are allowed to go abroad on sabbatical leave. Yet, they sign a bond which stipulates them to return. The Minister also said a large number of university academics also resigned from service during the period of the crisis.    “Likewise, we are unable to make recruitments. There are around 1,000 university teachers who work on probation,” he said.   

The Minister said steps would be taken to recruit retired lecturers to fill the current shortage. Currently, the university system operates with a shortage of more than 2000 teachers. There are around 1,000 university teachers who work on probation.