President orders immediate action to end harassment of students by certain teachers

President Maithripala Sirisena says, according to the information revealed to him in the letters, phone calls he receives and during some discussions, it is evident that some teachers harass and unfairly treat students, while the excellence and quality of the teacher-student relationships are evident in some others.

President Sirisena states that many details have been reported regarding harassment and unfair treatment to students by some teachers.

Participating in a function held at the Wayamba National College of Education in Bingiriya on Wednesday (23 May), President Sirisena said that the authorities should immediately pay attention to these transgressions.

Explaining the difference between the era when teaching was considered a service and more than merely a profession, and the present era where teaching is considered just a profession, the President said that teaching is considered the greatest of all professions as it holds the complete responsibility of building a nation and the future of the country, and it is not second to any other profession.

President Sirisena mentioned that according to the surveys done, it has been revealed that out of the total 250,000 teachers in service, about 8-9% of teachers are not eligible for the profession. It is not because they lacked qualifications, but it is due to their weakness shown in terms of respect, dedication, skill and ability to their service.

The weaknesses that are evident in the teaching service, government service and political arena should be removed as a nation marching towards success, said the President. He said that the reputation and dignity of any field is secured due to the character and good image that these professionals display.

Fulfilling the promise he gave to students when he participated in the State Vesak festival held at Bingiriya Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya on 28 April, when his plane landed at the stadium of Wayamba National College of Education, he made financial allocations to provide a water purification system and constructions were completed with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The President vested the new water purification system with the students by providing the necessary solution to the severe water problem the students of the Wayamba National College of Education, which was started in 2000, had to face for nearly 20 years.

Later, he presented certificates to the students with outstanding performance.

Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Chief Minister of North Western Province Dharmasiri Dasanayake, MP Nalin Bandara, former Deputy Minister Shantha Bandara, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, North-Western Provincial Education Officers, teachers, and others were present on this occasion.