Archives

The ill-qualified as school Heads

Approximately three thousand ill-qualified persons are serving as Principals in the public school system today, on the ground that they have been "politically victimized". Besides providing proof as to why our public school system has gone into steep decline in recent times, this information should also shock us into an awareness of the multiplying ills of the politicization of public life. It is well-known that politicization today spares nothing - apparently, not even public school education which at one time was found to conform to excellent standards.

However, the reasoning of the authorities on this question is baffling, to say the least. What justification exists, one may ask, for absorbing as school Principals, those who have suffered political victimization? If a government employee is found to have been politically victimized, the sensible course of action would be to adequately compensate that person or reinstate him in his former post.

The upper echelons of school administration where Principals fit in, which had been the preserve of those evincing educational excellence, shouldn't be regarded as a convenient dumping ground for the ill-qualified - politically victimized, though they may be. The position of school Principal, a venerated occupation, should be filled by only those who possess the required educational qualifications and administrative experience. We deplore these attempts to denigrate this almost sacred vocation, which in times past was chosen by only the most enlightened and educated of the land.

To the politicians who are thus playing ducks and drakes with our public school system we say: "Still your wayward and interfering hands. You are blighting further the future of this country, by demolishing steadily, the sacred institution which is the public school system-one of the few remaining assets of the poor of Sri Lanka".

While the rampant victimization of public servants on political grounds in itself deserves condemnation of the most forthright kind, the problem of politicization is further compounded by having such persons installed in school administration, which will account for the qualitative decline of local education.

We call on the Government to end this deplorable state of affairs. Multifarious ills have assailed our public school system. In fact, the opinion is gaining ground that some parts of the system are moribund. The school system must be saved and preserved for future generations because the majority of the children of Sri Lanka have only public schools to fall back on when it comes to acquiring basic educational qualifications.

Two mistakes don't make a right. Clearly, what must be ended is politicization of the public sector as a whole. The right woman or man in the right job - this worthy principle of public sector reform should be applied evenly.

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager