In a bizarre development Zonal Education Director of Colombo P.N. Silva has issued a directive to the principals of Colombo schools ‘to give due respect to Parliamentarians and Provincial Council members.’
Accordingly, principals are required to invite MPs and PC members in the particular area to special school functions.
The move has raised the ire of the General Secretary, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), Joseph Stalin, who has told the Daily Mirror that it was an insult to school principals whose dignity and self-respect would invariably be compromised.
dayal / March 26, 2018
2003 report of the national education commission castigated the prevailing political interference in education and was of opinion that that was the reason for the ineffectiveness of the system. now the zonal office would like to formalize it by its circular. god save SL schools!
-dayal
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K.Pillai / March 26, 2018
Of course keep in mind that some politicians are more important than ‘others’.
The principals must learn to kneel if ordered
If the son of a politician were to sit an exam, the principal must receive the boy with bullath, escort him to an AC room and award 98%
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Gune / March 26, 2018
If there is anything absurd going on in Sri Lanka this circular tops the list. How can you ask the educated (in this instance principles) to pay respect to the uneducated and in this instance politicians. They are the lowest forms of worker’s class crawling around the island stealing not only the money belonging to people but their legitimate rights and dignity. In fact it should be the other way around. Akila Viraj should be taken to task for permitting this.
Mr. PM please stop this nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This government is gradually becoming the MR regime we voted out in 2015
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Medalankara de Choppe / March 28, 2018
Weshould plan to dump all UNPers and SLFPers in the high seas as Sirisena did with the vehicles.
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Raizuh Langai / March 26, 2018
O/L passed politicians or O/L failed politicians? Kudu or no kudu politicians? Thug or No thing politicians? Please send an amended directive.
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Percy / March 26, 2018
Reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s famous definition of fox hunting “the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable”!!
Education in Sri Lanka could thus be defined as “the uneducated in pursuit of the unteachable”!!
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Douglas / March 26, 2018
In my early education days in school, I was told and taught by my teachers to EARN, but not DEMAND respect. How things have changed. Now the “Authorities” handling “Education” DIRECT the Heads of School to GIVE respect to certain categories of people even though they do not and have not “Earned” it. I believe only a land in “Miracle Of Asia” could issue such “DIRECTIVES” .
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Paul / March 26, 2018
Contrary to most poster’s views, I think that Principals showing respect to local politicians is an excellent idea. I hope the Principals, teachers and students bow, kneel and genuflect as enthusiastically and sarcastically as possible. There is immense scope for ridiculing these bastard politicians. Principals, create your own version of Puswedilla! The opportunities are endless, please use them.
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Lone Wolf / March 27, 2018
Paul,
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“I hope the Principals, teachers and students bow, kneel and genuflect as enthusiastically and sarcastically as possible. There is immense scope for ridiculing these bastard politicians.”
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Thank you for an excellent idea. Should not the staff and students all kneel in front of visiting politicians to greet them? Then post a film on social media to show the world how we are.
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Only problem is that most of our politicians are too stupid to understand sarcasm!
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Paul / March 27, 2018
Lone Wolf, that is a great idea. Social media will show the world their pomposity. Although the morons cannot understand sarcasm, someone will explain it to them and it will sink in……… slowly. At this point they will get very annoyed and seek revenge but at least they will refuse all bowing and scraping in future.
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Justice and Fairplay / March 26, 2018
This “instruction” from the Colombo Zonal Education office is not worthy of comment.
Such are to be expected in this age of matchless political buffoonery.
Sri Lanka, we weep for thee.
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justice / March 26, 2018
It was during Sirimavo’s time, that politicians “took the salute” during “march past” of school children in several schools.
This bolstered their ego, which has now become so swollen, to a level to demand school principals to kneel before them.
The situation will become worse, with this circular.
Respect for anyone, including politicians comes/grows with how they are perceived
by citizens, most of whom, especially the educated, now view many of them as corrupt self serving parasites of the nation.
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Jim softy / March 26, 2018
I heard it is th O/L failed politicians whop complained to the president “I heard this is President’s close circle adviser’s tactic and methods to sell president. President
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K.Pillai / March 26, 2018
Few years back school principals were given military training, rank and a photograph in the army regalia. The purpose was to teach the principal how to salute!
Why worry about the latest directive?
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perera / March 26, 2018
respect is commanded not demanded. And who could be respected of this lot of which majority are thieves and murders
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Real Revolutionist / March 27, 2018
So welcome them with garlands made of coconut husks
Teach the children to make them especially to welcome them,
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Harishchandra / March 27, 2018
“ABA SARANAI ‘is all I can say about the Education system in this country when those who are directing it want the scum of the country to be respected.
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Burt / March 27, 2018
First stop giving nominations to thugs, drug barons and moonshine dealers, then create a minimum education standard for politicians. Then this could be considered.
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PARAMANATHAN K / March 27, 2018
This particular Zonal Education office seems to demonstrate the unethical practice by requesting the principals to respect the politicians. It would have been rather wise if the zonal instructed the school principals to invite academics, industrialists or head of scientific/commercial research organizations for their key events. Minister of Education should take necessary action to punish the person who gave the directive to principals.
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Ad / March 27, 2018
Those who wear suits consider them self as gentlemen. Others wearing national dress and robes, demean the purpose for which it is worn. These officials and those who instruct obviously are all substandard and dont’t know what is protocol.
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The Professional / March 27, 2018
The guy looks like a holder of forged educational certificates.
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ramona therese fernando / March 28, 2018
Good thing! The Colombo elite and their exclusive children must learn how the rest of the country operates, and learn to be democratically contributing citizens.
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Mano / March 28, 2018
Its time the Education Department is handed over to the Privenas or to parties like Budu Pala Senas.
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Good Governance / March 28, 2018
This appears to be a formalization of a practice which was taking place for quite some time. Clearly the signatory of the directive is awaiting a favor from political masters. It is further observed that the list of politicos is appended, which means that politico outside the list even if he falls within the criteria stipulated by the general rule is to be excluded. This is an era which ought to follow principles of Good Governance and a part of it is de-politicization. Therefore this is precisely the sort of thing that should not happen. Let us see what the so called independent Public Service Commission is going to do about it.
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Citizen / March 30, 2018
Silva has got his balls or eggs mixed… Politicians and crowd MUST BOW DOWN to the Teachers and Principles as the education of children is in their hands… These buggers should bow down to all Sri Lankans too cos they are in Parliament cos of us or Maithris backdoor antics…
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