Teacher trade unions protest annual transfer in east

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 January 2012, 04:13 GMT]
The Ceylon Tamil Teachers Association, Ceylon Democratic Teachers Union and Ceylon Islamic Teachers Association, leading three teacher trade unions, have jointly requested the Eastern Provincial Minister of Education to postpone the transfer scheme for another month as transfers are not completed according to schedule.

The transfer scheme is to come into effect from January 2, 2012 when schools re-open for the new academic year in 2012.

Transfers made so far under the scheme have not been prepared with the consultation of teacher trade unions, according to union officials.

Teachers over the age of 45 are transferred to far away schools in education zones. Transfers are made violating the fundamental rights and in some zones on racial basis, teachers union representatives said.

Spokesperson for the Teachers Unions said that a protest letter has been sent to Mr.Wimalaweera Dissanayake, Provincial Education Minister with copies to Provincial Secretary N.A.A.Pushpakumara and Provincial Director of Education A.M.E.Paul.