FUTA unhappy with plan to begin leadership training on Nov. 15

October 17, 2012, 10:19 pm , the island

by Dasun Edirisinghe

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) is unhappy with the Higher Education Ministry’s decision to commence the leadership training programme, for university freshers, on Nov. 15 without consulting the faculty boards and the university senates.

FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri told The Island that according to the assurance given by the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa for them to end the recent strike, the higher education authorities would consult the university senates and faculty boards before commencing the next leadership training programme.

"The Higher Education Ministry has still not consulted the relevant university boards, but has decided on the date to commence the leadership training programme," he said.

The senior academic said that it was a violation of the agreement.

Dr. Dewasiri said that they would discuss it with the Higher Education Ministry in the next few days.

The higher education ministry has planned to start the leadership training programme on Nov. 15 in three batches. The Ministry will accommodate 9,000 students in each batch to be trained at the tri-forces and police establishments.

According to ministry sources, it had decided to obtain the opinion of the Attorney General’s Department prior to embarking on the latest exercise to avoid any future problems over the training programme.

When contacted by The Island for comments, Secretary to the Higher Education Ministry Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne said the ministry was still planning the programme.

"We expect to have a discussion on the programme and later we would consult faculty boards and senates," Dr. Navaratne said.