Schools reopen for Grades 6 to 13 except WP, next Monday

The schools would reopen for Grades 6-13 in all provinces, except in the Western Province, next Monday (23), Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

Although the schools were to be reopened on November 9, the government decided to extend the period of closure to November 23rd in view of the spread of the second wave of COVID-19 in different areas of the country, the minister said

The Education Minister said the schools in areas isolated because of spikes in coronavirus would not reopen on the 23rd.

He said classes from Grade 1-5 also would not reopen due to the prevailing situation.

According to the Education Ministry, classes from Grade 1-11 were conducted in 6,257 schools and among them where there were 15 or fewer students per class was 28.6 percent while where the classes with 15-30 students were 43.6 percent. There were 2,898 schools where classes from Grades 12-13 were conducted. In those schools, classes where 15 or less students were 56??? percent.

The schools where there were 16-30 students were 36.7 percent.

Prof. Pieris said the Principals of the respective schools had the responsibility to ensure a proper environment to conduct the schools from Grade 6-13 with each and every one maintaining the one metre distance, whilst also following the other health guidelines.

The Principals were also advised to form an advisory committee consisting of a PHI, a Grama Niladhari, representative of the School Development Society, and a member nominated by the Past Pupils’ Association of the school.

The recommendations made by the committee should be directed to the Zonal Education Director.