President Ranil Wickramasinghe said that the “Jaffna teacher tradition” seen in Jaffna in the past is a good example for teachers in the country and that he is working to restore that education system.
The President said that the teaching profession should be exemplary and if the teachers raise slogans and protest in the streets, they will be rejected by the students and emphasized that it is the responsibility of all teachers to maintain the dignity of the profession.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe mentioned this while attending the Jaffna district teacher appointment ceremony held yesterday (25) at Father Selva Auditorium, Jaffna.
375 teachers were appointed in Jaffna district of Northern Province and President Ranil Wickramasinghe also gave appointments to some of them symbolically.
Northern Governor B.S.M. Charles presented a memento to the President.
Addressing the event, President Ranil Wickremesinghe further said:
All of you who have been appointed teachers today have taken on a great responsibility. Today you are responsible for the future of students in a classroom of 35-40 students. The future of those children is shaped by your guidance. If you cannot fulfill that responsibility, you are not suitable for the teaching profession.
Earlier the service of Jaffna teachers was highly regarded nationally and internationally. They fulfilled that responsibility with great commitment. The Royal College of Colombo where I studied had teachers from Jaffna.
They worked with great dedication and it is because of their special dedication that famous teachers in Jaffna are still talked about in the society.
It must be said that the tradition of teaching has set a great example of teaching service to the teachers of the country.
Jaffna was built because education was maintained at a high level.
Some of the schools in Jaffna were famous all over the world. Hartley College students showcased their talent at Oxford University. So, I request you to join the honorable profession.
You must be a role model in teaching. Students will not accept you if you chant on the street. So, fulfill your responsibility properly.
Jaffna had an excellent school system at that time. One of our former Speakers, K.P. Ratnayake was educated at Hartley College. Due to the war, the teachers left the school and the monastery fell into disrepair. Education system of Jaffna should be brought back to international level.
I would like to inform the governor to discuss with all parties including members of parliament from the northern province, representatives of universities and provide plans to the government to bring the school system in Jaffna to the previous international level.
It is not enough to impart Tamil and Sinhala language education to the students and English knowledge should also be imparted to them. Necessary teachers should be appointed for it. Although this is a long-term program of 10-15 years, the activities should be started from now.
“I wish to extend my congratulations to all those appointed today, asking them to dedicate themselves to upholding the dignity of the teaching profession and providing the best service for the children of the North,” the President said.
Minister Douglas Devananda, Members of Parliament Dharmalingam Siddharthan, MA. Sumanthran, Charles Nirmalanathan, Kulasingham Dileepan, Northern Province Governor B.S.M. Charles, Northern Province Assembly President CVK Sivagnanam also addressed here, Northern Province political representatives including former State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran, Northern Province Education Secretary and many government officials. attended the event.
