The Governor of Southern Province, Dr. Willi Gamage, has revealed plans to issue a circular in the coming days, aimed at preventing teachers in government schools from charging fees to conduct tuition classes for their students.
Dr. Gamage has instructed Ranjith Yapa, Secretary of the Southern Province Education Ministry, to issue this circular, which will apply to all teachers in public schools across the province. He emphasized that disciplinary action will be taken against any teacher found violating this directive, with investigations to be conducted by the Provincial Ministry of Education.
According to the Governor, the circular explicitly prohibits teachers from accepting payment from students of their own school for attendance at support classes. The Special Investigation Unit of the Southern Province Ministry of Education has been tasked with expanding its operations to ensure compliance and investigate any violations.
Dr. Gamage noted that similar measures have already been implemented in two other provinces, following a comprehensive review period of two to three months. The revised circular will extend the prohibition to cover all students within the school where the teacher is employed.
