Matale District Parliamentarian Rohini Kaviratne has submitted a budget proposal urging the government to allocate funds to address the long-standing salary disparities faced by teachers, principals, and other education sector officials. The proposal calls for the payment of the remaining two-thirds of the salary arrears owed to teachers and principals, as well as the full arrears due to all other education service officials.
In her proposal, Kaviratne highlighted the historical context of the issue, noting that the salary disparity was initially imposed on education professionals through Circular 97/2. She pointed out that a broad coalition, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), various trade unions, and other opposition groups, had united to address this injustice. As a result, the previous government in 2021 granted one-third of the salary arrears to teachers and principals. However, officials from the Educational Administration Service, Teacher Educator Service, Teacher Advisory Service, and other related services were excluded from this partial payment.
Kaviratne emphasized that the 2025 budget presents an opportunity to rectify this disparity fully. She proposed that the necessary funds be allocated to provide the remaining two-thirds of the salary arrears to teachers and principals, as well as the full arrears to all other education sector officers. “The 2025 budget should correct the salary disparity caused by Circular 97/2 and provide full salary entitlement to all officers in the education sector, as accepted by the current government and the opposition,” she stated.
The proposal underscores the widespread support for resolving this issue, with both the government and opposition previously acknowledging the need for fair compensation for education professionals. Kaviratne’s call for budgetary action reflects the growing demand for justice and equity within the education sector, which has long been advocating for the resolution of these salary discrepancies.
If approved, the allocation would not only address the financial grievances of teachers, principals, and other education officials but also serve as a significant step toward recognizing their contributions and ensuring their fair treatment. The proposal now awaits consideration as part of the broader budget discussions, with many hoping for a positive outcome that prioritizes the welfare of the education sector.
