Transforming the University Teachers' Strike into a Movement for Democracy

Persisting low salaries of university staff, repression of student protests, introduction of compulsory leadership training by the military for university entrants, political appointments to administrative positions and attempts to railroad university reforms, including a neoliberal bill to initiate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Economic and political weekly 2012-08
Main Author: Ahilan Kadirgamar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Authoritarianism
Colleges & universities
Democracy
Education reform
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
Higher education
Labor unions
Neoliberalism
Political activism
Political appointments
Society
Sri Lanka
Strikes
Teachers
Universities and colleges
Wages & salaries
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Summary:Persisting low salaries of university staff, repression of student protests, introduction of compulsory leadership training by the military for university entrants, political appointments to administrative positions and attempts to railroad university reforms, including a neoliberal bill to initiate private universities that undermines the state university system, have all contributed to the radicalisation of university space. [...]these demands have been distorted by government propagandists and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). [...]it might be appropriate to reproduce here a section of the FUTA document on their demands made public on the 14 June 2012: A. Outstanding FUTA demands regarding measures that need to be taken toward recruitment and retention of highly qualified academics be granted A.1 Considering the crucial role that academics play in developing the country's human resource capabilities, their specialised duties, and the stringent recruitment and promotion policy that they undergo, establish a Sri Lanka University Academic Service (SLUAS). [...]there are the political and temporal tensions that emanate from a trade union struggle. [...]a trade union strike as with any form of class struggle is ultimately determined by class forces and state power, and hence the urgency of mobilisation and solidarity.
ISSN:0012-9976