Volunteer teachers protest

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 23 February 2000, 15:53 GMT]
Over one thousand volunteer teachers protested this morning outside the Educational Department office in Batticaloa, demanding their employment be made permanent.

The Educational Department did not function today as the protestors had blocked the entrance to the office sources said.

The protestors said volunteer teachers in the Jaffna District and Kalmunai have been given permanent employment, while they are being discriminated against.

Also in Vavuniya, the Association for Volunteer Teachers decided today to go on strike from 28 February to 3 March. The decision was taken at a meeting held in Vavuniya today.

The teachers say the authorities have not responded to their plea to make their employment permanent.