November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance has issued a firm ultimatum to the government, calling for the withdrawal of its recent decision to lengthen the current school term. The Alliance has given authorities until November 07 to reconsider the move, warning of serious repercussions should the demand go unheeded.

Speaking at a briefing in Colombo, Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union, criticised the government’s decision, arguing that it places an undue burden on both educators and students.

He noted that teachers have already endured challenging working conditions throughout the year and that any further extension to the term would exacerbate fatigue and disrupt family commitments during the upcoming holiday season.

The Alliance emphasised that if the government fails to retract the decision by the stated deadline, an island-wide campaign of trade union action will commence during the first week of December.

Such action, according to union representatives, could include strikes, protests, and other forms of organised dissent aimed at compelling the authorities to reconsider their stance.

Union leaders urged the Ministry of Education to engage in constructive dialogue and to prioritise the welfare of the teaching community and the education sector as a whole.