Union wants equal opportunity for teacher trainees in IDP camps

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) urged the Government to take immediate action to provide jobs as well as education opportunities for the teacher trainees in the IDP camps in the North.
“There are plenty of teacher trainees in IDP camps. Although their academic sessions in training colleges have already begun they are unable to attend as they are not released from the camps,” pointed out CTU convener Joseph Stalin.
He also added that since most of these individuals do not have a personal file, they are unable to join the teachers’ service or obtain promotions. “This is why the Education Ministry should intervene and take necessary steps to conduct a census in order to streamline a process which would be beneficial for these individuals facing this crisis.”
Currently interviews are being held for individuals that have completed Grade One and Grade Two of Teachers’ Service. “But the trainees and the teachers in the IDP camps miss these opportunities,” he pointed out. He further cited that even though the Education Ministry has taken steps to send two officials to the North to interview individuals that match the criteria, as the individuals in the IDP camps miss these opportunities as they do not have permission to exit the camp areas. (LP)