3 August 2023 12:12 am
Dehiattakandiya National School is the sole Sinhalese National School in the Dehiattakandiya Education Zone, within Ampara District. This school is also known as a special school within the Ampara district. The Daily Mirror did a probe on the school based on information that was received recently. Our probe revealed that the reputation of Dehiattakandiya National School spreads far and wide into
districts outside Ampara.
There are many parents in Sri Lanka who are interested in enrolling their children at this school. Their interest is to get their children to sit for the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Examinations while studying at this institute. The Z score for A-level Examination in Ampara district remains relatively low. The sole national school in the Dehiattakandiya Zone of Ampara district has become the focus of attention for those seeking to secure a university placement with a low Z Score. Therefore there is a high demand to join Dehiattakandiya National School. It has come to light that certain school teachers and education authorities are allegedly supporting these irregularities.
When complaints are made with the Ministry of Education about alleged illegal activities carried out by several teachers the authorities who come to investigate them are offered bribes and such complaints are repressed. These incidents are no secrets to Dehiattakandiya locals, who maintain that certain authorities who visit the school to conduct investigations do so only to enjoy their time and feast on bush meat. Therefore, parents do not lodge complaints with the education authorities regarding the shortcomings they observe in their children’s education which is caused by the conduct of teachers. It is reliably learned that the education authorities turn a blind eye to complaints even if they are made.
There are occasions when there are no teachers to teach during school hours. It was learned that during weekdays these teachers attend to their personal matters. It has been a common sight to see them in Dehiattakandiya town during duty hours on school days. Teachers who conduct tuition classes after school currently own multi-story education institutes. These teachers tend to ignore students who fail to attend their classes. According to the Dehiattakandiya Zonal Education Office teachers who fail to teach during school hours usually do a commendable job in their tuition classes. Some teachers resort to mistreating students who cannot afford private tuition due to financial constraints. This leads to these students being neglected and ignored. Parents have confirmed that there is competition among tuition teachers in Dehiattakandiya.
Consequently, many students find themselves attending private tutoring sessions of the above mentioned teachers, not because they understand what they teach, but rather out of fear of facing negative consequences. Their parents are experiencing huge difficulties as a result and reportedly the results of the students are also questionable.
This scribe also received information about a serious allegation that previously the results of the Ordinary and Advanced Level Examinations had been manipulated and irregularities were committed during competitive examinations in Dehiattakandiya National School. It was learned that some teachers also supported these activities. It has been discovered that during several competitive examinations supervisors and invigilators had been appointed by the Dehiattakandiya Zonal Education Office and they belonged to that education zone. It has been learned that there have been numerous examination irregularities in the competitive examinations held at Dehiattakandiya School. Complaints regarding these issues have been lodged with higher authorities and an ongoing investigation is underway. Among the irregularities reported, it has been alleged that individuals were hired to write answer scripts at competitive exams for others in exchange for money. An investigation is being carried out regarding this matter.
Usually, a teacher should maintain daily and monthly records of teaching activities, including teaching methods. However, information obtained from the Dehiattakandiya Zonal Education Office revealed that some teachers at Dehiattakandiya National School fail to comply with this practice. Teachers are required to teach well to be eligible for salary increments and for that they should maintain daily and monthly records. According to a circular, teachers should work a minimum of 30 periods per week and those who fail to do so are not eligible for salary increments. Yet, it has come to light that this requirement appears to be disregarded at Dehiattakandiya National School. There are instances where certain teachers worked only 17 periods per week and some others did only 5. The principal has reportedly recommended salary increments for these teachers, according to information coming from the zonal office. When officials from the Dehiattakandiya zonal office inquired regarding this matter, the teachers concerned claimed they were not obligated to maintain daily and term notes. Despite complaints lodged by the zonal officials with the Ministry of Education regarding these teachers’ conduct, no action has been taken thus far. According to the zonal office these teachers have been paid salary increments and arrears.
Moreover, it was learned that the principal of this school hasn’t provided the timetables as yet for the year 2022-2023 to the Dehiattakandiya zonal office. Instead, he has only shared the timetable for the year 2023-2024.
“Accusations are baseless”- says Principal P. K. Shantha
In response to the accusations raised against Dehiattakandiya National School, the school’s Principal P. K. Shantha said the following.
“Those accusations are baseless and they are attempts to tarnish the school’s reputation. Some teachers have remained in this school for a long time due to the lack of other national schools in the vicinity; with the closest ones located at a distance of 40 kilometres away. There is another school 25 kilometres away from here, but there are no transport facilities. Therefore these teachers remain here. The transfer policy regarding national school teachers is different. It should be done by the Ministry. Moreover, when the same teachers continue in the school for an extended period, I cannot recruit other talented teachers. Occasionally, there are individuals who raise issues, but they have limited options elsewhere, hence the situation leading to these challenges. The teachers work about 30 periods per week. Those involved in school administration work fewer periods as their time is dedicated to administrative activities. The educational activities of the school are progressing well. The examination results as a percentage has exceeded the 80 percent mark. Allegations which state that children sitting for exams are cheating should be addressed and such actions should be stopped promptly. The claims made by a certain official of the Zonal Education Office are false and lack any basis.”
When inquiries were made Eastern Province Education Secretary, H.E.M.W.G Dissanayake said that various allegations about Dehiattakandiya National School have been reported. “Details regarding transfers of teachers can be obtained by contacting the director in charge of national schools. If there are examination irregularities they will be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
Additional Secretary (Discipline) of the Ministry of Education Lakshman Premakumara when contacted confirmed that a complaint regarding disciplinary matters concerning teachers at Dehiattakandiya National School had been received in August 2022. “An ongoing investigation is being conducted into the complaint and further details cannot be revealed until the investigation concludes,” Premakumara added.
Inquiries were also made from the Director in charge of national schools and this official conveyed that information cannot be provided without the permission of the Secretary of the Ministry of Education. Despite attempts made to contact the Secretary- as advised by the director- he was unavailable to obtain a comment because he was attending an emergency meeting.
Dehiattakandiya Education Zonal Director Duminda Peiris refrained from providing a statement to this newspaper without obtaining permission from the Eastern Provincial Education Secretary. However, a spokesperson from the Dehiattakandiya Education Zone confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to address the alleged irregularities within Dehiattakandiya National School.
Minister of Higher Education Susil Premajayantha said that a prompt investigation would be conducted into the matter.