Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe has raised objections to a recent circular that prohibits school teachers in the Western Province from conducting paid tuition classes for students from their own schools. This ban, which applies during school hours, after school, and on weekends or public holidays, has sparked significant debate among educators and parents alike.
The circular was signed by K.A.D.R. Nishanthi Jayasinghe, the Secretary of Education for the Western Province, and has been distributed to the Director of Education, Regional Directors, Divisional Directors of Education, and all school principals within the province. It mandates that all teachers be informed of the new regulations and warns that disciplinary action will be taken against those who violate them.
Minister Jayasinghe stated that the Governor has instructed for the circular to be suspended pending a thorough review of the issue and a policy decision regarding its implementation. This development indicates an acknowledgment of the concerns surrounding the ban, particularly regarding its potential impact on students who rely on additional tutoring for academic success.
