(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –All schools in the country except in the Western Province and other isolated areas will be open for grades 2-13 from today, the Ministry of Education announced.
The Minister of Education Prof. GL Peiris stated at a media briefing Sunday (10) that the decision to start schools was taken with all possible measures to ensure the health of the children in view of the prevailing situation in the country.
“This is not a random decision. It is implemented according to a very carefully prepared plan. Not just a complete plan. We have developed a program to monitor the implementation of that plan and ensure that it is implemented step by step in every school. Each school has a school committee headed by the principal and consisting of Public Health Inspector, the Grama Niladhari, the Inspector of Police, a representative of the Past Pupils’ Association and a representative of the School Development Committee. We have clearly handed over the responsibilities to them and steps have been taken to look at how those responsibilities are being fulfilled. All Zonal Directors, Provincial Directors and all are involved in this program,” the Minister said.
All parents, teachers and principals have been made aware of this comprehensive program through print and electronic media over the past few days, the Minister said adding that the authorities have been instructed to hold parent-teacher conferences from last Wednesday in this regard and to discuss and find solutions if there are any shortcomings or problems that are unique to each school
The Minister said that in view of the prevailing situation, the Ministry of Education has paid special attention to the transportation of school children and has held discussions with all officials in the field of transport, especially the SLTB, the Railway Department and all officials in the field of transport including school van associations and reached agreements.
He pointed out that several rounds of discussions were held not only with the health officials of the Ministry of Health but also with a number of eminent professors in the field of medicine to ensure the complete health of school children.
This decision will be implemented with the foremost objective of providing the children with the education according to a well-planned program.
The Ministry of Education urges all parents to send their children to school in strict compliance with all existing guidelines regarding the health of their children.
In this regard, a special Zoom discussion was held Sunday in parallel with the Provincial Directors of Education to monitor the implementation at the zonal, divisional and school levels and to take the necessary action at the provincial level.
Secretary of Education Prof. Kapila Perera, Additional Secretary of Education D Dharmasena, All Provincial Directors of Education, Private Secretary Nalin Gamlath and Media Secretary Buddhika Wickramadara were also present.
