ACUT

 

All Ceylon Union of Teachers

Colombo, Sri Lanka

 

A Charter Member of Education International
Foundation & Brief History

Founded in 1920 - is the oldest Teacher Organization in Sri Lanka. ACUT was a member of The World Confederation of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP). With the launching of EI in 1993 we became a member of Education International, the world body of teachers.

Mode of Operation

Meetings and conferences

General ,Monthly ,Annual General Meetings.

Activities

Publications

The Ceylon Teacher

ACUT quarterly news bulletin

ACUT handbook

ACUT brochure

ACUT from its inception has been struggling to safeguard the rights, proper working conditions, job security, and a just and fair salary structure etc for those in the teaching profession.

After the schools take over by the state in 1960 our union activities were limited to ensuring the rights and welfare of the teachers in private schools.

All the major benefits - fixed salary scales, pension rights etc enjoyed by teachers in Sri Lanka today are mainly the result of ACUT action down the years. It negotiated with the colonial rulers up to 1948 and after Independence with every government in authority on behalf of teachers and education. The history of the ACUT with its splendid record of service is indeed the “history of the struggle of Sri Lankan teachers to better their conditions of service.”

The perennial problems of our union and our profession have engaged all our attention and effort during the years. The union  has spent many hours interviewing ministers and other highly placed personages and drafting memoranda seeking redress for teacher grievances.

Our secretariat which is situated in Colombo 15 is the generous contribution of the Canadian Teachers’ federation. Our former general secretary Mr. J.A. Gajanayake who was in office for over 30 years, paved the way for the building which was put up in 1982. The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Bob Barker.

Vision

To promote Quality Education in Sri Lanka.

Mission

To improve the condition of education in Sri Lanka and to obtain the establishment of a coordinated and complete system of education.

Objectives

To associate and unite the teachers of all non governmental schools in Sri Lanka.

To maintain a high standard of qualifications to raise the status of the teaching profession and to secure for members the highest posts in the educational service of the country.

 

Membership

We have three classes of teachers eligible for membership.

Ordinary members - All teachers of non-governmental institutions

Life members - Ordinary members who have paid the stipulated subscription decided by the executive

Honorary members who have given invaluable and outstanding service to achieve the objectives of the union

Open to all private school teachers (including international and preschool teachers) on payment of Rs. 120 per annum as subscriptions. The ACUT has been in existence for over 90 years. Its present membership is 3093, of which 2082 are females. It is a small union because we cater to the needs of only private school teachers.

Status of Women

The ACUT makes provision  for policies for women to ensure equal opportunities for women members and encourage them to strive for our representation at decision making level through provisions in the constitution.

Section 3.20 - enables the formation of a women’s wing to further the interests of women and to promote the participation of women in education, teacher organizations and society

Section 8.1 - four vice presidents (at least two of whom should be women) Budgeting provisions for training despite general progress towards achieving equality between men and women. There have been major breakthrough towards equal sharing and gender balancing governance with women  presidents  general secretaries and Treasurers.

Organizations assisting us

Our fraternal organizations assisting us are EI and UEN (Union of Education,Norway). Our aims and objectives are achieved through workshops and seminars and the publication of newsletters and bulletins.

Secretariat    “Canada House”
40 Centre Road
Colombo 15
Sri Lanka.

Phone            +94 11 2527577
Fax                  +94 11 2527577 (on call)
email                acut@gmail.com                    
Website           www.acut.lk