Protest if demands not met in Budget, say teachers

The Ceylon Teachers Service Union yesterday called on the Government to increase public expenditure on education to 10% from the current 2.59% as low investments in education will cause the country’s education system to spiral downwards and threatened to protest if their requests are not met in the 2012 Budget.

The union’s secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Government has allocated Rs.33.25 billion for the Education Ministry and Rs.24.47 billion for the Higher Education Ministry in the 2012 Budget.

He said these are meagre sums when compared to the allocation of Rs.229.94 billion for the Urban Development Ministry, Rs.144.57 billion for the Ports & Highways Ministry, Rs.124.22 billion for the Finance and Planning Ministry and Rs.104.57 billion for the Economic Development Ministry.

“There is a vast difference in the allocation of money invested by the Government in education and health as opposed to road and urban development and other areas. Education and Health are the most vital areas that the Government should focus on,” Mr. Jayasinghe said.

The union said that public school teachers have not received promotions in over three years and many have not received their pensions.

“We have been making these demands for years but they have been falling on deaf years. Nevertheless we will fight for these demands,” he said. (By Olindhi Jayasundere)

Cbo Uni. administration advises parents of  suspended U’grads

November 9, 2011, 9:45 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe

The Colombo University administration yesterday held a meeting with parents of Management faculty undergraduates who were allegedly involved in a clash which led to closure of the faculty two weeks ago.

Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama told The Island that 15 students were suspended for allegedly being involved in the clash and they were asked to submit explanations.

"None of the parents were aware of the incident," she said adding the parents were advised to pay attention to their children’s daily activities.

The Colombo Management faculty was closed on October 25 following clashes over ragging incidents. The faculty premises were declared out of bounds to all students except for the first-year undergraduates.

A conflict between the two factions in the Management Faculty had prevailed for several years.

However, the faculty was to re - open on Tuesday (08) only for third year students to sit the examinations.

Prof. Hirimburegama said that only few students of the final year created trouble, but innocent students too have had to suffer due to their acts.

Some undergraduates, she said, did not participate in Wednesday’s discussions and they were the trouble makers.

"We will take necessary disciplinary action against the suspended students or advise them once they submit their explanations," Prof. Hirimburegama said.

She said that the faculty had opened for the final year examinations and it would re–open for second year students as soon as possible.

U’grads allege female student  in trouble for calling VC

November 9, 2011, 9:40 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Undergraduates allege Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University, Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama is targeting a second-year female student for seeking an explanation from her regarding the recent undue delay in the bus available for students.

Responding to a query by The Island, Convener of the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Sanjeewa Bandara said that the decision to hold a disciplinary inquiry was a move by the university administration to suppress the student community. Bandara alleged that the university administration had gone to the extent of writing to her parents and her school in a bid to embarrass her.

Bandara said that the university administration had reacted angrily to the student’s telephone call to the VC on Oct. 25 after the closure of the Management Faculty following a clash between two factions. She had called the VC from the university’s female hostel in Boralesgamuwa.

Bandara claimed that the VC had cut off the line saying it was not under her purview.

Vice Chancellor Hirimburegama told The Island that there was nothing wrong in students contacting her over the phone seeking relief. She said the student had sounded very rude over the telephone demanding to know why the bus was late. She said students should not be allowed to act in such a highhanded manner.