Extending School hours—Is it a wise decision?

In regards to the government’s decision to extend the school hours by half an hour per day, I would like to share my opinion, as a guardian and citizen of our motherland.

Among many reasons, the reasons given to this effect were to cover up the lost time during the pandemic and ease the burden of teachers’ workload.

But, can anyone clarify my valid concerns that also reflect the general public’s eagerness to know the resolutions for the same?

An additional half an hour per day means two and a half hours a week and 10 hours (4 weeks) per month and 120 hours a year. This means an additional 20 days of workload for teachers.

As a marketing professional, I strongly feel and recommend that the teachers’ additional burden has to be compensated by the government fully, as the administrators of private schools have already been finding difficulties in rewarding the teachers’ laborious work handsomely.

By looking at the economic crises of our country, can the government compensate adequately by increasing the teachers’ monthly salary?

Can the government provide the public with appropriate details as to how many extra buses it is going to utilise for teachers’ transport?

Can someone who is responsible for this decision of extending school hours, let the general public know the total number of additional employees including drivers, conductors, time keepers, security officers and others including relief workers that the government is going to recruit and the total expenses per annum including the toatal costs of fuel, tyres, batteries and other spare parts at the earliest possible.

I am sure that the decision will also hurt the administrators, academic staff, administrative and clerical staff and supportive staff and parents and escalate the individual’s as well as the government’s health budget and related expenses.

Who will pay for these expenses? Does the government have a budget, and will it be revealed in the forthcoming budget presentation?

All the above are major concerns that need to be addressed swiftly.

Truly speaking, as Sri Lankans, do we need to implement this decision to extend the school beyond 1.30 pm. The ball is in your court.

Please think about it.

Hope these major concerns will be addressed properly and adequately, as I have many other valid concerns too.

Maruthai Ravindhiran 

Colombo 15