Teachers protest on Teachers’ Day

Teachers from all over the country held protest rallies and marches today (6) in protest of the government's failure in addressing their salary anomalies issue.

Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin said this year’s Teachers’ Day for teachers was a grim one as authorities have not addressed their pressing salary issues for over two decades.

He said all teachers and principals will take part in protests without violating health regulations. Government schools teachers’ withdrawal from online teaching reached its 87th day today.

Apart from the salary issue, teachers also demanded the government to increase the  GDP allocation for the education sector from 0.9 per cent to six per cent.

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Principal’s Union said black flags will be displayed in front of schools and their residences in protest of the government's inability to address their salary issue.

“The struggle to win rights of a profession has no boundaries. But the dignity of the teaching profession must be protected at all times. Our government will never hesitate to give due professional recognition to the teachers committed to the profession,” said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Teacher’s Day message.

The Prime Minister attending an online event organised by the Education Ministry said teachers have the prime responsibility and duty to get the COVID pandemic-affected children back on track as soon as possible.

[Pix by Akila Jayawardena, Sudath Hewa (Hatton), Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa (Dambulla), Rahul Samantha (Hambantota) and Hiran Priyankara (Puttalam)]

Hatton

Dambulla

Hambantota

Puttalam