Regulate international schools-NCPA

21 October 2012 12:50 am

National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) called for the intervention of the Education Ministry to regulate international schools in the country, pointing out they receive a vast amount of complaints concerning incidents of child abuse that takes place within them.

NCPA Chairman Anoma Dissanayake speaking to Daily Mirror said, “We have received several complaints verbally and in writing, of children from international schools being abused within school environments due to the negligence of the administrations. In some of the cases, it was the teachers who were the instigators of verbal, emotional and physical abuse.”

Mrs. Dissanayake pointed out the lack of regulations or standards concerning the establishment or maintenance of international schools are the main reason behind this issue. “At present, there aren’t effective laws governing international schools in the country. Anyone and everyone can establish an international school if they are financially capable to do so. As a result most schools do not have child friendly environments and the staffs are not properly trained,” she said.

Speaking further, she said a letter was sent to Education Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Jayaratne, highlighting the predicament and added she is expecting a prompt reply. “We will be happy to assist the education ministry in drafting the protocols necessary to form a regulatory system on international schools in the country,” she added. (Lakna Paranamanna)