Education Ministry seeks clarification from CIS

9 October 2024 06:56 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 41 Bookmark

KELUM BANDARA Follow

A A A

*Yet, Ministry handicapped in taking action due to lack of legal authority over international schools

*Urgent need to monitor, regulate, accredit international, private schools

*Such schools registered under Companies Act only

Colombo, October 9 (Daily Mirror) - Following a 15-year-old girl jumping to death from the Lotus Tower, the Education Ministry has decided to seek a clarification from Colombo International School (CIS) where she studied, an official said yesterday.

Education Ministry Secretary J.M. Thilaka Jayasundare told Daily Mirror that she, immediately after the incident was reported on Monday evening, assigned three additional secretaries and two directors to visit the CIS and seek a clarification on the incident. However, she said the Education Ministry had no legal authority over international and private schools operating in the country, but a report would still be sought from the CIS.

The girl has fallen to death from the observation deck of the Lotus Tower. The police confirmed it as a suicide. Earlier, two of her schoolmates died by suicide.

“It is very unfortunate that the Ministry cannot exercise authority over the conduct of private and international schools. There are some directions from Parliament to take steps to monitor the operation of such schools. Still, there is no mechanism. My officials will be visiting the CIS and report to me on their findings if the school authorities cooperate,” she said.

Currently, such schools are registered under the Companies Act. According to the Ministry Secretary, the authorities of these schools have declined even to submit details citing that they are not legally bound to do so.

Ms. Jayasundare stressed the need to amend the Education Act empowering the Ministry to regulate, monitor and accredit international and private schools.

“At the moment, the Education Ministry does not have a database about these schools,” she said.

Comments - 41

Kevin Wednesday, 09 October 2024 07:19 AM

How come private were ever allowed to function without oversight, amazing!

3 39

Yohan Wednesday, 09 October 2024 12:34 PM

For more than 20y or so the parents asked to consider these as schools instead of pvt ltd companies but government were greedy for tax and always kept them as pvt schools.

0 12

Jagath Leanage Wednesday, 09 October 2024 01:10 PM

All citizens in Sri Lanka are abide by the law and order and no difference to International Schools and its children. Now, two pathetic incidents happened from the same school. What we can't understand is what the administration of CIS doing? Definitely there should be some sort of method to regulate International and Private schools. Education department should take initiative with regard to it.

1 11

Mahila Thursday, 10 October 2024 09:26 AM

(Part I) Kevin, “HOW COME PRIVATE WERE EVER ALLOWED TO FUNCTION WITHOUT OVERSIGHT, AMAZING!” NOTHING AMAZING IN ALLOWING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS!!!??? For those born after 1977, including “NAMAL BABY”, it would seem so, unless He/she made an in-depth study of the evolution of SL’s International Schools vis-à-vis SL’s Education system at large and initiatives and/or NEED!? Because the government was giving various subsidies - including at some point in time FREE 2 MEASURES (4 Kgs) PER CITIZEN OF THE COUNTRY that there was no Money in the Treasury to have additional Schools, Buildings, Educational equipment, Teachers and Principals to man them as the population increased over the years - which is NATURAL phenomenon in any country - when a Man and Woman COHABITS!!?? Part of ORGANIC population growth!!? There was no new infrastructure!!?? Such were NICK-NAMED as 'CHICKEN COUP'/"KUKUL KOODUWA" Classrooms – PARTITIONING CLASSROOMS into 2, doubling capacity to ‘make-up the lack of capacity’ –

1 1

Mahila Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:41 AM

(Part III) – Once considered as PANACEA for ONES’ comprehensive education/achievement and emancipation, was unceremoniously ditched atleast partially!!? The surmise, that degree from local tertiary institutions would SUFFICE to SURVIVE an arduous life within Sri Lanka but clearly, not elsewhere in this competitive world – which was a ‘morphed attitude and idea’ from pre-independence to 1955 era was taken away from the table!!?? bygone era of not believing that the world is a global village advanced by technology driven by communication by a few international languages – SPANISH, ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, LATIN, but may be not in that order!!?? DEFINITELY NOT is Sinhalese and Tamil as an international language of Technology transfer, with limited use of them for home use or internally!!?? (TBC)

1 0

Mahila Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:42 AM

(Part IV) If the International schools didn’t BECOME A REALITY, then foreign Technical personnel would have been reticent to move over to Colombo, Kandy, Digana and other areas as resident technical advisors and specialists!!?? Consequently, 50% OF THE MAHAWELI ACCELERATED PROGRAMME WOULD HAVE TO BE SHELVED, due lack of competent Technical Expertise or funds, Or BOTH!!?? We would be still IMPORTING RICE to date, for consumption from CHINA, BURMA, EGYPT on CREDIT terms to feed all!!?? May be we would have become Bankrupt by the dawn of 1990’s??? NOT in 03/2022, as happened!? ATLEAST THEN WE WOULD HAVE SAVED OUR BELOVED 6.9 million elected GOTHABAYA FROM BLAME – “RUNNING THE ECONOMY TO THE WALL”! Sin Aney!? PAW! AHINSAKAYA!!??

1 1

Who is to blame? Wednesday, 09 October 2024 07:27 AM

International schools are run way better than had they been under government purview. The recent suicides are tragic yet it seems social influences had more to do with it than the school. Didn't we all have our own challenges during our teen years? Did we get any benefit or support from school or teachers? We kept it to ourselves, spoke with family or friend and just stuck it out until we aged out or the problem went away. So you see, you cannot find fault with an institution.

28 63

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 09 October 2024 07:28 AM

It us high time that proper legislation is introduced to regulate all educational institutions including mass tuition classes where students are packed into halls which lack safety measures. Fortunately there have been no fires but in case if any , a huge tragedy could happen.

8 63

Benjamin Wednesday, 09 October 2024 07:43 AM

An observation deck needs to have necessary physical deterrents preventing public from exercising or attempting life threatening activities/ actions. For a teenager to fall off in a suicidal attempt and sadly succeeding does place this observation deck facility in the red zone, to be closed until correct safety measures, (constructed

4 58

L. Wickremasinghe Wednesday, 09 October 2024 01:36 PM

Cannot agree more. Lotus Tower owners and its management should be held responsible for failing to implement any and all possible measures to avoid such tragedies.

1 15

Mohandev Wednesday, 09 October 2024 07:46 AM

It's a shame to admit Education ministry has no authority over 'Interntional schools' or even other private Uni Kada in SL. High time it's brought under some authority

7 42

Athk69 Wednesday, 09 October 2024 07:47 AM

Even though there is no legal obligation for CIS to respond, CIS must have a moral obligation to respond, given that such unfortunate incidents are being committed by their students for whatever reason. As an alleged leading international school in Sri Lanka, where is their moral conscience? Nothing justifies hiding behind legal barriers. Well done, to the officials of the ministry of education. All parents must know what is going on, so that appropriate and timely action can be taken to safeguard the mental wellbeing of all children.

6 49

Don Wednesday, 09 October 2024 08:19 AM

Private educational institutions must be allowed to operate and provide education programs to the people who can afford. However there should be a system to maintain quality and also wellbeing and fair treatment of the client. This regulatory framework must be of international level as the clients could be foreign students as well. Many Sri Lankans are in foreign universities which attracts international students. NOP government must seek assistance from such expatriates to develop a good regulatory system.

2 27

Leo Wednesday, 09 October 2024 08:28 AM

Trying to set up a mechanism to safeguard children's lives. Yet all mechanisms to protect politicians' wealth and illegal business activities are already in place.

3 21

Leo Wednesday, 09 October 2024 08:28 AM

Trying to set up a mechanism to safeguard children's lives. Yet all mechanisms to protect politicians' wealth and illegal business activities are already in place.

2 9

Christo255 Wednesday, 09 October 2024 08:57 AM

Good if you accredit international schools, then those children will have the option of studying in local state universities which right they do not have now. Let's see how NPP which always opposed this will act now as the government

13 11

Yohan Wednesday, 09 October 2024 08:59 AM

This is upto law enforcement authorities to investigate not educational ministry. What can the latter do even after collecting a report. Bunch of jokers. Send this secretary home.

9 24

Dr. A.C.B. Jayaweera Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:01 AM

Believe me, Colombo International School is one of the worst in-disciplined schools in Colombo. The management nor the teachers have no control over students because the wealthiest people's children are studying there. Why not four Potuwa Politicians children too studying there, and they are given majestic reverence, so what else can we expect from this school.

10 44

Lal Fernando [Attorney-at-Law] Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:03 AM

Now the Education Ministry is very strong under Prime Minister. Madam, please pass an act and take-over all the International Schools under your control to prevent this sought of happenings in the future.

26 12

Terrence K Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:06 AM

Always these government organisations are not proactive but reactive when something happens. When there are shortcomings in government schools eg. leaking of papers, no facilities at schools, lack of teachers, etc but now they want to encroach into the private sector and want to clarify. There maybe isolated incidents of this nature which is not new to this country only and prevailing in the world. In the past too some politicians tried to interfere in the functioning of private organisations and messed it up. All these are happening with the new government who assured that they will not get involved where organisations do not come under their purview. Already the parents have voiced the reasons for this unfortunate incident which is in the public domain as these schools are under the Companies Act. When there are planks in the government organisations they want to remove the specks in the private sector. New broom sweeps well and what follows God forbid!!!!!!!!!

17 13

D P P Prasad Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:19 AM

All educational centres should be under the purview of the education ministry. If the ministry doesn’t have a power to probe in to this incident at least the criminal investigation department should be directed to hold the further investigations in order ascertain the correct findings. However the government should introduce a new mechanism by empowering the education ministry to look into the matters related to the international schools

2 17

Treehorse Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:38 AM

So many private schools are providing low-quality education, they need to regulated and set to maintain certain quality for the fee they charge. So schools are like pigeon holes and I do not know how licenses were given to them without inspecting the premises.

1 34

Visaka Wednesday, 09 October 2024 10:30 AM

Beyond been legally correct a moral and ethical code of conduct should be in the governance risk and compliance practices of a profit making international school registered under the Companies Act. for example. 1. Did CIS go ahead with à fashion show the day two kids lost their lives at the previous Altair incident? Was there some better way in which it could have been shown that "we care"? 2. Did some ignorant parents blame the friends of those two kids including the girl we lost this time the lotus tower girl of been responsible for the 2 deaths as they hid information? To the extent of making statements that these friends should be procecuted? What did CIS do to prevent such ignorant vicious and now fatal gossip from further aggravating a sad situation? 3. What measures can CIS take to ensure safety of various cliques grouping together in the name of trauma bonding and similar names? Though these comments are harsh it's shared to prevent further loss of lives.

1 23

Hon. Sarneris Wednesday, 09 October 2024 10:44 AM

At least now the ministry to should start monitoring the private schools. Also govt should make private school fee tax deductible as the parents take off a big burden off the shoulders of the government.

1 11

Not quite accurate Wednesday, 09 October 2024 11:03 AM

“. . . she said the Education Ministry had no legal authority over international and private schools operating in the country. . .” While international schools have always functioned as business enterprises, private schools in this country (Primary and secondary) have functioned under the Education Ministry’s regulations for the past fifty plus years. I know because I studied in one.

1 12

Yohan Wednesday, 09 October 2024 03:08 PM

You have mixed up two different categories of schools. Pvt schools teaching gov school syllabus in English medium follows syllabus guidelines but it does not apply to CIS or any international school as they do not teach local syllabus mate.

2 3

Not quite accurate Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:40 AM

Sorry, but the shoe is on the other foot. I wrote, “While international schools have always functioned as business enterprises, private schools in this country (Primary and secondary) have functioned under the Education Ministry’s regulations.” I have not written international schools are regulated by the Education Ministry. That's your careless reading. As for your second point, you are still wrong. Private schools that offer London OL and AL syllabus classes, as well as local syllabus classes in the vernacular or English, follow Education Ministry rules regarding how the overall school is run. The students who followed London OL and AL syllabus classes in the school that I attended had a different uniform and attended afternoon sessions. However, discipline and such matters were the same for all.

0 1

Wadigapatuna Wednesday, 09 October 2024 01:11 PM

A probe needed to stop the said ragging in this school. Who are the teachers and their social and political background? When there is no discipline, what sort of education and guidance these parents seek for their children? CID needs no special warrant to carry out their duties given the situation.

0 9

Coco Riley Wednesday, 09 October 2024 01:15 PM

I wonder if CIS has any counsellors for the students, but the amount of school term is highest in the island and this school has a reputation as well .Even those who were involved in the Royal park tragedy all of them went to CIS , so the school has a credible reputation . Ha ha

1 9

Preventing teeanage pregnancies is the concern for the West Wednesday, 09 October 2024 02:09 PM

There has to be a different approach to foreign students studying in private schools

2 3

Doole Wednesday, 09 October 2024 02:44 PM

Its an investigation. why is there so much big drama, and commotion about private school. sound very fisy

0 4

Rajan V Pillai Wednesday, 09 October 2024 03:19 PM

I think there is some thing wrong in the Culture in CIS, the culture probably being International. Do our parents admitting their Children expect children to be submerged in International Culture and wrong doings. Government cannot simply get out declaring that they are fully independent.

1 7

Political Sira Wednesday, 09 October 2024 08:01 PM

As usual. Look at the bigger picture. Mental Illness is a big problem in Asian countries specially Sri Lanka. We have the most alcohol consumption per capital in the world and suicide as well. Maybe studies done some years ago or could be current. How has this become an International school or worse CIS problem. Some people with vested interests it seems trying to earn some extra money if International schools are closed. Suicide is a national issue!!!!

0 2

Sinna Wednesday, 09 October 2024 08:43 PM

Too much freedom for students, and teachers do not have much authority over students’ discipline may be one, out of many reasons of such incidents happening specially in CIS, if a teacher seriously involved in correcting a rude student, that might be enough to withdraw his contract, another one is school anniversary tamasha , there senior boys and girls musical show,in many years went beyond midnight, often heard bad behavior of some students, which must expect at this age,school culture is highly westernized, so no complaints on those issues considered seriously, school’s concept is , keep them few years for collect fees, and send them out, substantial percentage of students are from broken families, parents are rich, they give everything to children ,except proper guidance and love, but generally school is much nicer than most government schools

0 0

Sammy Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:19 PM

If not the Education Ministry then there would be some Investigating Agency that has the authority to investigate deeper into the matter and would include questioning CIS Management. It is a crime

0 1

Sammy Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:28 PM

I am not sure if these suicides have anything to do with the school per se but as a part of the official investigation, the CIS Management should be questioned. CIS

0 1

SLshouldFocus Wednesday, 09 October 2024 10:07 PM

I don't understand what kind of clarification they are looking for, let the CID to do their job and find out the facts behind this suicided of innocents three kids, are they trap with any scam ?? or someone blackmail this kids? or foul play? or anything else? there are many things happening around the world with technology, I humbly request all, without focusing to destroy private education system with jealousy mind, education ministry first focus on public education which drag in to very poor level that require to introduce proper system to uplift into the international level, one of professional research recently found that "Students throughout the island perform poorly in English and Mathematics due to inconsistent education policies and the lack of funding" do something for this system unless trying to destroy the second option (International school) which parents has today to educate their kids

1 2

Parvathi Nagasundaram Thursday, 10 October 2024 07:56 AM

Action needs to be taken regarding monitoring private universities as well.

0 1

Hl Thursday, 10 October 2024 11:29 AM

What was the security doing? the place already looks like a dirty bus stand. last time I went there the security lady was speaking loud across the hall saying that she was having a headache and need to eat! where is the professionalism? the finger prints on the elevators shows how the cleaning/maintenance staff work.

0 4

Ima Thursday, 10 October 2024 03:43 PM

It’s known secret how much teachers being bullied by students of these international schools as well as management, do not get surprised ,if a teacher jump out of window especially from this CIS

1 0

Indra Dasa Friday, 11 October 2024 06:32 AM

Majority International and Privately registered Schools in Sri Lanka should be regulated under the department of Education when the new parliament resumed on 21st November 2024 . For example In Australia all states under the federal Act all private schools must register in the State education departments and regulate by the State governments .

0 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.