If no solution to teacher- principal issue, waves of protests could add to COVID spread: GMOA

If the government fails to find an immediate solution to the teachers' salary issue, it will result in waves of protests which  could again contribute to the spread of COVID viral infection, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) said.

In their letter addressed to the President, the GMOA warned of the risk that could escalate the COVID viral infection.

Therefore, the government should give a patient hearing with a view to providing a justifiable solution, they said.

"We propose that, the Salaries and Cadre Commission be directed to study this issue in depth and in a sensitive manner with a view to obtaining a Technical Report which should be the basis of providing a lasting solution without creating a chain reaction among other categories," the GMOA mentioned in the letter.

A reasonable interim allowance should be provided to teachers and principals as a short-term solution, which would also indicate that the government is genuinely interested in solving this issue, they said.

Furthermore, the GMOA wishes to raise the following points: Salary-based issues should be solved following due process instead of being solved by Cabinet decisions in an ad-hoc manner, which invariably creates more problems, solutions should be provided while safeguarding the National Wage Policy, previous violations of the National Wage Policy should be revisited and rectified; and a solution should be provided to children who have not been able to follow their education.

Failure to provide a timely and proper solution towards solving this issue will result in extremist elements taking control and would also result in students seeking education abroad, which would drain our foreign currency while benefiting those who are waiting to take advantage of the issue, the letter said.

A genuine effort by your government to provide a just solution while safeguarding the National Wage Policy would go a long way to ensure the continuity of free education, which is one of the key pillars of our society, the letter added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)