There were two types of private schools. Those were categorised as fee levying private schools and non fee levying private schools. These schools had to follow the circular instructions issued by the Ministry of Education regarding the appointment of principals and teachers, their promotions, payment of salaries, qualifications, leave and so on.
After the take over of these schools some opted to be fully private schools and the salaries of teachers and other staff was paid by them. All these schools are Government by the code of instructions and ministry circulars issued from time to time.
A teacher who has the necessary qualifications and teaching experience could only be appointed as the principal of a school. The Ministry of Education has outlined the educational qualifications and the experience that a teacher should have to be appointed as a principal.
To be appointed as a graduate teacher, one should pass in all three subjects at the degree level and at least two of those subjects should be subjects that are included in the G.C.E. (A/L) school curricular.
If this requirement is not possessed by any one he/she could not be appointed as a graduate teacher. In addition to this a teacher should have at least 10 years service to be appointed as a principal.
Those who do not possess these requirements are not eligible to be appointed as principals. All the managers of schools should submit the relevant documents to the Ministry of Education through the Provincial Director of Education and prior approval should be obtained. Holders of religious degrees and special degrees are not eligible.
During the past few years the Ministry of Education has not paid sufficient attention to these matters. No annual inspections have been done. I don’t think that annual returns are being collected.
The private schools branch of the Ministry should attend to these matters. An interview to select a principal to a private school had taken place recently.
When a Board Member who was on the interview board telephoned an officer of the private schools branch of the Ministry of Education and asked him regarding the qualifications and experience, that officer had told that the Board of Governors of the school could take a decision on their own which is totally incorrect.
Most of these officers are new and they are unaware of these circulars. The Ministry of Education has also issued a circular stating that the primary section of schools should be headed by a primary trained teacher. The private schools branch of the Ministry is unaware of this. They should go to the record room of the ministry and check on these circulars as all copies of circulars are sent to the record room.
I think all private schools should follow these instructions already issued by the Ministry without taking actions as they like since this is a matter concerned regarding the education of our children.
– Stanley A. Wijesinghe
Former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education