The data shows there is a surplus of teaching staff for certain subjects in the Northern Province. Therefore, there should be no vacancies for these subjects in any school in the region. However, this is not the case in practice. The responsibility for addressing this imbalance lies entirely with the Zonal Education Directors. They must fulfill their duties properly and cooperate accordingly, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The monthly review meeting to assess the financial and physical progress of projects implemented this year under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs of the Northern Province was held today, Wednesday (17.09.2025), at the Governor’s Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
Speaking at the outset of the discussion, the Governor welcomed the initiatives of the newly appointed young principals and emphasized the importance of encouraging them. He stressed that Zonal Education Directors should regularly visit schools to identify their needs firsthand. The Governor expressed concern that some schools are directly seeking assistance from external sources—even for matters that can be addressed through government funding. Such actions raise concerns and must be avoided. All requests should follow proper administrative procedures. He also highlighted the need for transparency in the use of funds. Additionally, the Governor emphasized that the website of the Northern Provincial Ministry of Education, which provides data on teacher vacancies and staff, must be regularly updated and maintained with accurate information.
Secretary of the Northern Provincial Ministry of Education, Mr. M. Patrick Diranjan, stated that within certain zones, there are cases where some schools have surplus teachers while nearby schools face teaching vacancies. He noted that he has repeatedly instructed the Zonal Education Directors to address this imbalance through proper reorganization. However, only a few zones have completed the process so far. The remaining zones are expected to complete it within a week.
He further added that, according to a decision made at a meeting chaired by the Honorable Governor, even after release letters were issued by the Zonal Education Directors for teachers transferred from the Jaffna District to other districts, some principals continue to allow these teachers to sign in at their previous schools. The Secretary emphasized that immediate action must be taken by the Zonal Education Directors against such principals.
Following this, the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan, emphasized that all parties must strictly adhere to proper administrative procedures. She stated that action should be taken not only against teachers who have failed to report to their new stations after being officially released by the Zonal Education Directors, but also against the principals who continue to allow such irregularities. She further stressed that the Zonal Education Directors must take responsibility for properly adjusting the teaching staff. The Chief Secretary added that she would personally visit schools and conduct field inspections to monitor the situation.
Following this, the progress of each department—including the Northern Provincial Ministry of Education, the Department of Education, the Cultural Affairs Unit and the Department of Sports—was reviewed in detail. Delays in project implementation and related issues were examined, and appropriate solutions were recommended.
In addition, the Hon. Governor questioned the Zonal Education Directors about complaints received directly from various stakeholders, including members of the school community and parents, concerning issues in the education sector. The Governor also issued instructions on matters that need to be addressed and rectified.
The discussion was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, the Deputy Chief Secretary – Finance, the Deputy Chief Secretary – Engineering Services, the Director Planning from Office of the Deputy Chief Secretary – Planning, the Provincial Director of Buildings Department -Northern Province, the Directors of the Departments of Education, Sports, and Cultural Affairs, as well as the Zonal Education Directors.
