(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Secretary to the Ministry of Education Professor Kapila Perera said 97% of the principals and 89% of the teachers had reported for duty when the primary sections of all the island wide schools opened on Monday (Oct 25) while student attendance was only 45% on the first day.
It is notable that the Teachers ‘and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance had ended its 106 day strike demanding a solution to the teacher-principal salary anomalies and had reported to work in schools yesterday.
The official said he expects the number of attending students to increase gradually in the future.
The government decided recently to open schools gradually which were closed due to the Covid pandemic. Under the first phase, schools with less than 200 students were opened on Thursday (Oct 21). Primary sections of all schools were opened yesterday under the second phase and 9155 schools were opened.
School activities commenced with the adoption of hygienic procedures including measuring the body temperature of the children and washing their hands.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education said opening of schools can be made more efficient if parents act with responsibility by following health guidelines.
The official said meanwhile all measures are in place to commence GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level classes in all schools. Accordingly, vaccination of those students has been expedited.
