State Minister reveals steps taken to regulate private tuition in EP

From M. A. Kaleel, Kalmunai Corr.

State Minister of Trade and MP for Batticaloa District Sathasivam Viyalendiran briefed the media on the steps the Eastern Province had taken to regulate private tuition there.

He said those steps had been taken following a lengthy discussion with stakeholders, an opinion poll and considering complaints to the Education Ministry. Before entering politics the Minister served as a school teacher.

Private tuition institutions should obtain trade certificates; classes should not be held on Sundays, and on other days they should be held before 6.00 pm, maximum fee for one hour class for an A Level student should be Rs. 70 and for other students it should be Rs.50, parents’ meetings should be held and the class time table given to students and parents; attendance should be marked; tutories should clearly display name boards and provide drinking water, sanitary facilities and security; information about teachers and administrative officers working in the tutory should be sent to Zonal Education Office and teachers on leave shouldn’t conduct classes or seminar during school hours.