CRISIS — Mass Migration of Government Teachers form – IT, Math’s, English language – subjects

As the country’s economic situation further worsens it is not just medical professionals but also teachers working within Government schools particularly assigned in teaching subjects as mathematics, English language and information technology are leaving the government sector either on the basis of taking a leave or quitting the sector altogether. This revelation was made by All Ceylon Teachers Services Union (CTSU)secretary Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe.

“This is extremely worrying, because these particular subjects considered as vital and critical  within in the criteria of fundamental academic skills and excellence”.

Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe further elaborated that within the past 9 months alone, it has been estimated around 5000 government teachers has left or has taken leaves from their posts. Some had taken the opportunity to employee themselves within the private sector while others had left to work abroad.

He further revealed annually around 5000 teachers retiring and with added 5000 also had taken leave, both of these factors has created a crippling situation within the government education sector. Also he added that a UNICEF led survey has revealed among 85% of 3rd graders literacy and numeracy level were to be at unsatisfactory levels.

What is even deepening the crisis is due to the country’s economic collapse government had taken stance on not to recruit any servants government sector for the coming few years. This has been clarified by this year’s end expected budget proposals where recruitment of new government  servants have been indefinitely put on hold. Government teaching sector presently is indeed experiencing an acute shortage of around 40000 teachers already.

These shortages are very evident within remote regions for Sri Lanka particularly on North Eastern provinces where around 10% of these shortages exists.

Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe added government should at least taken steps as recruiting teachers on priority basis to minimize crisis developing further. Additionally to vacant teaching positions crisis, government also had to address salary anomaly existing within the teaching sector also.