Dance, Music teachers strike demanding permanent appointments

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 September 2005, 10:02 GMT]
More than sixty teachers of music and dance in Jaffna district struck for the second day Friday forcing closure to regional education centers. Teachers demanded explanation from the NorthEast Education Ministry for not providing permanent positions even after passing the selection examinations and attending interviews, spokesperson for the striking teachers said.

The teachers registered their complaints with the Jaffna Human Rights Commission.

The striking teachers included those who obtained diploma in music and dance since the year 2000.

On 12 September graduate trainees carried out a protest campaign regarding permanent appointments and suspended the campaign after getting assurances from by Mr.R.Thiakalingam, Secretary North East Provincial Education Ministry, that he would attend to their grievances.

Jaffna teachers pointout that the strike by music and dance teachers predicament highlights the inefficiency plaguing the planning division within the Education Ministry.