Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe has declared that he is prepared to take action against government officials who deliberately inconvenience the government through their actions.
Speaking to the media about a recent circular issued by the Western Province that restricts teachers from conducting private tuition classes, the minister expressed concerns over the lack of consultation and foresight in such measures.
He emphasized that before imposing restrictions on teachers’ ability to conduct tuition classes, the government must first address the longstanding challenges faced by educators, including their working conditions and remuneration. “Resolving teachers’ issues should be the first priority, not restrictions,” he remarked.
Minister Jayasinghe also explained that the government is working on a broader program aimed at reducing students’ dependency on private tuition classes. He noted that improving the quality of public education and ensuring schools adequately meet students’ academic needs are essential steps. “Banning tuition classes outright is not the solution. We need to make school education more effective and engaging to naturally reduce the demand for external tutoring,” he added.
The Deputy Minister reiterated the importance of constructive collaboration between officials and the government to ensure educational reforms are fair and effective, rather than counterproductive.
