University lecturers threaten withdrawal from exam marking over Grade One admission circular

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has warned that university lecturers may withdraw from evaluating answer scripts of the upcoming G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination if the government fails to address grievances arising from the newly issued Grade One admission circular. FUTA President Professor Prageeth Weerathunga said the circular has created “serious injustice” for the children of university lecturers, despite repeated discussions with authorities over the past year and a half. He noted that the government’s failure to provide solutions has forced lecturers to consider trade union action. According to Weerathunga, all university teachers’ unions convened a main meeting recently, where they unanimously resolved to initiate professional action. As part of this decision, lecturers will withdraw from all voluntary activities linked to general education, including curriculum revisions, module updates, teacher training, and seminars. “We are giving two weeks’ time to this government. If within two weeks we do not receive a proper response, we will decide whether or not to participate in the marking of answer scripts of the upcoming Advanced Level Examination,” Weerathunga said. He emphasized that lecturers had engaged in discussions for over 18 months, but if those talks result in their children being denied school admission, “there is no meaning in continuing discussions with this government.” (Newswire)