The Island of 07/03 carries on page one the pathetic story of teachers of the disabled of the Western Province PC who are paid an allowance of only Rs. 3000/- per month. Among them is a teacher who has taught mentally retarded children for twelve years on this allowance.

These teachers have undergone special training and are a class of specialist teachers. Their job is far more difficult and strenuous than those who teach normal children. Hence, like other teachers, they should have been absorbed into the permanent cadre on an incremental salary scale with a travelling allowance because they have to travel to places where disabled children are housed.

Politicians shout themselves hoarse on the need to do our best to make the lives of the disabled happy. But all successive govts. and ministers of education have failed to look after the welfare of the teachers who teach the disabled. And what have the teachers' unions, that go on strike and fast opposite Isurupaya at the drop of a hat, done for these teachers? Sweet nothing!!

In Sri Lanka nothing gets done today without orders from the top. So, will the president look into the plight of these teachers throughout the country and ensure that they are absorbed into the permanent cadre with retrospective effect? They deserve it.