The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, with regard to the security of Members of the Opposition and the nation, we place our views on record and request greater consideration.

¶ 02 Under Standing Order 27(2), I seek to question the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya, on the placement of National Colleges of Education diploma-holders as teachers:

¶ 03 1. Will the Minister accept that admissions to National Colleges of Education (NCoEs) are based on district-wise subject vacancies and needs, and student intake is aligned to those needs?

¶ 04 2. Is it fair that, after completing the two-year course and one-year internship, appointees are posted anywhere in the island irrespective of the original district need on which they were recruited?

¶ 05 3. When making such long-distance postings, are family, economic conditions, transport, accommodation, and personal safety not considered? Is this appropriate?

¶ 06 4. When there are shortages in the very districts from which these trainees originated and obtained higher education opportunities, will the Minister ensure they are placed within those districts so they can serve effectively?