Wednesday, February 1, 2012
GMOA strike for telephone allowance
Government doctors in all provincial hospitals in the Colombo District are on a token strike today owing to the failure of the government to provide a telephone allowances to the doctors.The Homagama, Avissawella, Mulleriyawa and Angoda base hospitals are on strike. In addition to that nine divisional hospitals, 26 primary care units and 12 MOH offices are also on strike.
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said that a treasury circular was issued in July 2010 according to which consultants and administrators are entitled to a Rs.12,000 telephone allowance while grade medical officers are entitled to a telephone allowance of Rs.6,000.
GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Nalin Ariyarathne said many doctors in a number of provinces have not received the allowance.
Meanwhile the GMOA recently held discussions with President Rajapaksa requesting to increase the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance from Rs.12,500 to Rs.30,000. (Olindhi Jayasundere)
J’pura students to hold protest at noon today
The students of the Sri Jayawardenapura University will hold a protest at noon today in front of the university. The Students Union says that the protest will be held against the dictatorial behaviour of the Vice Chancellor and in support of the three students of the University of Peradeniya who have been held in remand custody.The University was closed down in the aftermath of a protest march organised by the students which caused heavy traffic in Colombo. (HF)
Oral test for GCE O/L English exam
The Education Ministry has decided to introduce an oral test for the English language at the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination from next year, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said today.Minister Gunwardane told a news conference that ten marks would be given to students at this test to be introduced after a pilot project.
“We will have a pilot project next year. Depending on the success of the project, we will make it compulsory for all students sitting the exam, “he said.
Emphasising the importance of learning other foreign languages such as Korean and French, he said that the education policy had been redesigned to create persons with capacity to cope with challenges posed by globalisation.
“Today, we have seen tough competition among youth to sit the Korean language examination. They had to sit the exam amid police protection. Past pupils of Maliyadeva Vidyalaya, Kurunagale have arranged facilities to teach French to students at their schools. They have found teachers for them. As a result, students from Maliyadewa Vidyalaya account for the highest intake for language studies at the Kelaniya University,” he said.
The Minister said that the government would start the modernisation of 1,000 secondary schools on February 4, 2012 to coincidence with Independence Day and the Deyata Kirula event.
“This year, we have not admitted children to Grade One classes at 333 schools selected to be modernised as secondary schools. Initially, these schools will be developed. Each selected school will be given physical and human resources to teach English Language, Information Technology, Science, Mathematics and Aesthetic Subjects,” he said adding that there will be improved facilities for sports activities. (Kelum Bandara)
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