A critical shortage of 34,000 teachers has plunged Sri Lanka’s education sector into a fresh crisis, exacerbating challenges particularly in outstation schools and remote areas where some institutions are grappling with a lack of teachers for General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A/L) classes.
The dire situation has been further compounded by legal impediments, with multiple parties initiating court proceedings against proposed recruitment initiatives aimed at addressing the teacher shortage.
Plans to hire 13,000 graduate teachers at the provincial level, along with an additional 23,000 graduate teachers, have been stalled due to ongoing court cases, leaving schools and students in limbo.
The ramifications of this shortage are profound, not only impacting the quality of education but also hindering students’ academic progress and prospects. Urgent measures are needed to resolve this crisis and ensure that every student has access to quality education, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic background.