Prof. Peiris strongly defends re-opening of schools

Education Minister Prof. G.L Peiris yesterday (23) strongly defended the government decision to re-open schools in areas not affected by the rampaging coronavirus epidemic.

Schools in the Western Province and some areas isolated due to the epidemic remained closed.

Addressing the media at Waters Edge, Prof. Peiris emphasised that all schools couldn’t be kept shut, pending total eradication of the epidemic.

Such a strategy wouldn’t be realistic, Prof. Peiris said, pointing out that the government decided to re-open schools after having studied the situation.

Responding to a barrage of questions regarding possible risks faced by the student population, the Education Minister asked how schools could remain closed indefinitely.

“Of course, the Education Ministry took the decision in line with overall government response to the corona threat,” Prof. Peiris shot back, pointing out that the situation would be monitored closely.

The Education Minister assured that sufficient funds had been allocated to regional school authorities to provide whatever material support necessary. The minister provided a breakdown of funds made available to provinces while acknowledging the possibility shortcomings.

The minister said that a perfect system couldn’t be expected during the ongoing crisis.

Responding to another query, the minister said that in areas where schools were re-opened some remained closed in terms of the decision taken by school authorities in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Prof. Peiris said that the Education Ministry permitted school authorities to decide on the re-opening in terms of the overall approval given by the ministry. Therefore, six schools in the East, 14 in Central Province, 14 in North central, 12 in Sabaragamuwa, 48 in North Western Province and 1 in the South remained closed.

Prof. Peiris pointed out that the government conducted the Year 5 Scholarship Examination and GCE Advance Level examination though some opposed the idea. What would have happened if both examinations were cancelled to appease those who opposed everything for the sake of opposing, the minister asked

(SF)