The Principal of a leading Girl’s school in Sri Lanka has found herself entangled in a gender discrimination controversy after rejecting the appointment of a male teacher transferred to the school through proper channels claiming he is not suitable to teach Sinhala language and literature to female students.
According to the Sinhala daily newspaper, Aruna the male teacher had been transferred from St. Paul’s College, Milagiriya to Visaka Vidyalaya according to the annual transfer scheme of the Department of Education. However according to him after meeting the Principal of the school, Sandamali Aviruppola to hand over his transfer and appointment letter she had told him that it is not acceptable and that a male teacher was not suitable for the post. He also claimed the Principal had thrown the letter back at him.
He has also accused the Principal of ordering the security to forcefully remove him from the school premises. He has now complained to the Ministry of Education and has also lodged a complaint with the Bambalapitiya Police.
According to the newspaper, when contacted Aviruppola had claimed the school has never had a male teacher for the subject and it would be unsuitable as the subject deals with commentary on the female form. She had also said she had already requested the Ministry to not carry out the transfer. She also added that however the request was not accepted by the teacher transfer board and however she has explained the issue to the Minister of Education.
However the news has caused a controversy with the Principal being accused of blatant gender discrimination by the public, especially on social media.
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