With the government set to extend school hours to 2:00 PM from January next year, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has criticized the Ministry of Education for failing to address several practical issues arising from the revised timetable.
Speaking to The Morning newspaper, CTU President Priyantha Fernando said the new schedule will create confusion, particularly in schools with predominantly Tamil and Muslim students. He noted that the extended hours in many of these schools will apply only on certain days, adding to the uncertainty.
Fernando also highlighted transportation as a major concern. “No discussions have been held on adjusting bus and train schedules, leaving teachers who commute from distant areas facing serious difficulties,” he said.
Although the Ministry of Education has claimed to be in talks with the Ministry of Transport, no revised timetables have yet been announced. Fernando warned that even short-term changes could cause significant hardship for children, affecting their travel arrangements and bus fares, while no solutions appear to be in place.
