CP pledges solidarity with principals, teachers; condemns threats

General Secretary, Communist Party of Sri Lanka Dr. G. Weerasinghe yesterday strongly condemned threats issued to striking principals and teachers.

The following is the text of the statement issued by Dr. Weerasinghe yesterday: “The struggle against principal-teacher salary anomalies, which has dragged on for the past few months, has come to a kind of peaceful halt.

On October 18, the teacher-principal leaders announced that they would report to work from October 25. They further stated that they are taking this step with the future of the nation in mind and that the struggle will continue in other guises after the commencement of schools.

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka commends and honour the leaders of the Teachers ‘and Principals’ Unions for their broad vision and commitment to the future of the sons and daughters of the nation.

However, the government has announced that schools with less than 200 children will start on October 21. In this sense, there is a consensus on the possibility of resuming schools.

Meanwhile, some parties seem to be working to destroy the growing positive and optimistic background about school education by making provocative statements. More than threats of salary suspensions or disciplinary action, the government and its various levels of officials and the principal-teacher community need to work together to revive the school education process.

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka strongly condemns all kinds of threatening statements aimed at principals and teachers.

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka has worked with it from the beginning of this struggle. Given the current situation, our party submitted the following proposals to the Government and other relevant parties in early August;

1. The Government must acknowledge that principals and teachers are subject to clear salary anomalies and that this needs to be rectified.

2. However, due to the various salary increases that have taken place in the public service from time to time over the years, there have been wage disparities in the entire public service. The most optimal course of action in this situation is to appoint a new Pay Commission with a view to eliminating those anomalies in the entire public service and to complete its work within a reasonable period of time.

3. An interim allowance shall be paid to the Principals and the teaching staff until the completion of the work of such Commission.

Despite the government announcing some pay rises in the interim, the relevant unions have stated that the principal-teacher community will continue to fight until justice is done for them.

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka will continue to struggle with the principal-teacher community and the trade unions that lead them.

Victory to the struggle of the Principals and teaching community for a fair salary!