First school term set to begin on Jan 11

By Anura Balasuriya

Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said on Monday that Jan 11 had been set as the date for the commencement of the first term in schools and pre-schools for the year 2021.

Addressing the media in Battaramulla the Minister said the primary section of all schools for Grades 1 to 5, pre-schools and daycare centres in the country except those in the Western Province and isolated areas would be reopened on Jan 11.

He said it was not possible to open schools in the Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha districts of the Western Province and in isolated areas immediately. The situation would be reviewed every 10 days and a decision would be taken to open the schools in those areas as soon as possible.

He said schools in other areas had reopened for Grades 6 through 13 on Nov 23 and the academic activities would resume for Grades 1-5 from Jan 11.

Third term of the schools officially ends on Wednesday (23). As per the advice of the health experts, schools in the Western Province could not be reopened, the Minister said, adding that it had been decided not to permit private tuition classes in the province to reopen.