Uni lecturers stay away from online teaching today

University lecturers attached to all state universities will stay from online teaching today (28) in protest of the proposed Kotelawala National Defence University Bill, Dr. Shayama Banneheka, President of Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) said.

“It is a one-day thing for the time being. Simultaneously there will be silent protests in state universities,” he told Timesonline.

The controversial bill was presented in Parliament on July 8 for the second reading, but Parliament agreed to continue the debate on the bill on a later date prior to approval as it came under heavy criticism, demands to withdraw or introduce amendments, street protests against the bill that led to arrests and chaos. It is to be taken for debate in the first week of August.

Protests by education sector unions continue island-wide alleging that the bill will promote militarising the education system.

Meanwhile, the online strike by teachers and principals will continue for the 17th consecutive day after yesterday’s talks with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa failed.

The Prime Minister’s Office yesterday said the final decision on salaries of teachers will be taken at next Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

(Pix and video by M A Pushpakumara)