Ranil urges Govt. to act fast on university teachers’ grievances

Wednesday, 4 June 2014 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the Government to take immediate action to resolve the issues highlighted by the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) before the ongoing token strike cripples the entire higher education sector in the days to come. Raising his concerns and expecting the Prime Minister’s response, Wickremesinghe wanted the Government to increase allocation on education to 6% of the GDP, grant research allowances to university lecturers unconditionally, or else to increase their basic salary in an equal amount, to annul the extraordinary gazette notification No. 1824/21 of 22 August 2013, No. 1829/36 of 26 September 2013, and No. 1847/56 of 31 January 2014 that are affecting free education, establish a committee consisting of the lecturers and the members of the FUTA to look into the problems of the students, appoint a Presidential Commission on higher education reforms, and establish the profession of university lecturers as a special service. Highlighting the unfruitful commitments of the Government, Wickremesinghe said: “All work in universities have been crippled due to the token strike initiated by the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA). The underlying reason for this strike is the breach on the part of the Government of the agreement arrived at with that federation. The union action they were engaged in was suspended on 12 October 2012 according to this agreement. “Also a memorandum on this matter, signed by the Minister S.B. Dissanayake and Minister Basil Rajapaksa, was submitted to the Cabinet. As mentioned in those documents, the Government has given promises on numerous problems related to the free education. However, the free education in this country continued to encounter more crises, for those pledges were not fulfilled. The crisis has become even more serious due to the union action restarted,” he added. Instead of the Prime Minister, Minister of Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake stated that 75% of work at universities is progressing without an issue. “According to UNESCO standards, the benchmark 6% of GDP investment in education rule applies to countries with a literacy rate less than 50%. Ours is over 90%. But the allocated money for overall education, youth development sectors, and related other departments and ministries overtake this benchmark. In 2010 the allocation for Ministry of Higher Education came to Rs. 20.212 billion, Rs. 23.188 billion in 2011, Rs. 23.745 billion 2012; in 2013 this was increased to Rs. 30.92 billion and Rs. 32.807 billion in 2014. “We encourage the lecturers to continue with their tests and experiments required to enhance the knowledge of the students. There is an allowance provided in addition to their salary to support this. We are in the process of amending the respective gazettes. A committee is also appointed to look into the students’ issues but we are not recognising the interuniversity students union,” added Minister Dissanayake.

Health sector students seek Ranil’s support

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent Student representatives meeting the Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday at Parliament sought the support of the United National Party to force the Government to continue the Allied Health Science program uninterrupted and as planned by the UNP during its regime in 2002. According to the students the Government has reduced the duration of the program from four to three, which will exclude the clinical training, which includes physiotherapy and associated fields. “With the reduction of the number of years the Allied Health Science program losing its recognition in the eyes of the international market. There is no reason why the Government should take decisions on Allied Health Science programs to fulfil the needs and aims of the doctor’s trade union the GMOA,” held the student representatives.

Wickremesinghe who agreed with the students and promised to take the matter up in the House held that free education is being destroyed on a daily basis under the current regime. “Instead of investing money in education, the Government is spending it to maintain the white vans, black vans and the respective teams, which include the military. The Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health are adequate to solve the issues but should also listen to the students,” he said. “The Government has come to a point where the President is now directly involved in this matter, which has exceeded 164 days. A cabinet decision is required,” he added.