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A qualitative study of twelve Sri Lankan secondary school teachers has found that compared to 10-15 years ago students, current secondary school students are more self-centred and adopt more problematic behaviours in school that are harmful to themselves and others. Student misbehaviour in the classroom includes disrespect for teachers, performing irrelevant classroom tasks and verbal aggression, while school-based misbehaviour reflects disrespect for school authorities, unnecessary use of dangerous drugs and the development and support of inappropriate and harmful relationships.

Many instances were witnessed across the country, where parents arrived at schools to return free uniform material vouchers which were invalid. There were also instances where parents complained of the insufficient value attached to these vouchers, and where parents were unable to purchase quality material for a specified price. Against this backdrop, several teachers and principals’ associations staged a joint media briefing in Colombo, highlighting the fact that teachers, students and parents, have been inconvenienced by the new voucher system.