Teachers’ Unions Demand Action on Salaries and Greater Teacher Involvement in Education Reforms

A joint federation of teacher and principal trade unions held a Teachers’ Day commemoration today at the N.M. Perera Centre, raising concerns over teachers’ salaries, working conditions and the ongoing education reform process.

Treasurer of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, Tharanga Jonsalu, said Teachers’ Day in Sri Lanka is commemorated on October 6 and that teachers are currently facing numerous challenges.

He said international recommendations, including those highlighted by UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO), contain several conditions relating to effective teaching and the working conditions of teachers. He stressed that teachers’ working hours should be discussed with teacher trade unions.

Jonsalu said previous trade union struggles had resulted in teachers securing a one-third salary increase from the government of that time. He noted that some of those who had supported the teachers’ struggle are now part of the Government.

He also raised concerns over issues arising from education laws and the ongoing education reform process. He said teachers had signed a petition at the Ministry of Education regarding a particular module and that the unions would continue to make the necessary interventions.

According to him, the country's education reforms have yet to be fully implemented, while the recently introduced education policy framework should be carefully examined before implementation. He said a separate group should be appointed to assess whether the proposed reforms are appropriate.

Deputy Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, Chithra Airangani, also raised concerns over the situation faced by principals and teachers, saying some individuals were being treated unfairly under the existing arrangements.

She said the unions were also demanding a proper salary structure for parallel services.

Ceylon Teachers’ Union Secretary Joseph Stalin questioned why Teachers’ Day was designated as October 5 internationally and whether the relevant bodies, including the ILO and UNESCO, had been properly consulted regarding the matter.

He said teachers must be involved in the education reform process and criticised what he described as a situation in which teachers were currently being treated merely as observers rather than active participants.

Stalin said the unions wanted to make it clear to the Government on Teachers’ Day that education reforms should be a matter in which teachers have a central role.

Referring to previous education-related initiatives, he said a pilot programme had been implemented in the Gampaha District during the tenure of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. He identified the status of teachers and their salaries as two of the main issues facing the profession.

He said teachers had been granted island-wide salary scales in 1994 and that a salary increase of one-third was later secured following the recommendations of the Subodhani Committee, while questions remained over the balance of the promised increase.

Stalin also referred to a major teachers’ protest held in June 2024, saying the current Government came to power following that period of agitation. He questioned the Government’s current position that a formal request or recommendation was required before teachers’ salaries could be increased.

He further criticised proposals to introduce licensing arrangements for teachers working in private schools and tuition classes, while saying that similar attention should also be given to the issues faced by school principals.

The union leader called on the authorities to resolve teachers’ salary issues before presenting gifts or other gestures to teachers.

He also referred to reports concerning teachers’ working conditions, including claims that teachers at Monaragala Royal College had been asked to wear sarees, and said the unions had witnessed the difficulties faced by teachers.

Stalin said the unions would closely monitor the actions of the person now responsible for education and assess what measures would be taken to address the concerns raised by teachers.