Stalin claims yesterday’s school attendance less than on Thursday

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The number of children who attended schools yesterday was lower than on Thursday as the majority of principals and teachers did not turn up, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin says.

Stalin said that principals and teachers played diverse roles in schools. “Despite their best attempts, the government and their associates have failed to intimidate principals and teachers. Although the government deployed some recent graduate employees and some other officials at schools, parents have not sent children to schools. This is another indication that the parents trust teachers,” Stalin said.

In some schools not a single student turned up and only recently-recruited graduate employees and policemen were present, he said. Stalin added that most principals and teachers supported their action because they were tired of waiting till their salary anomalies were resolved.

“Some unions affiliated to the government claim that we have brainwashed teachers. This is an insult to principals and teachers.