No hidden reason for early school vacation - Minister

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: Education Minister Susil Premajayantha clarifying the Government's decision to begin the August school vacation on August 15, said there was no hidden reason as alleged by the UNP over the school closure.

"We merely advanced the date of the August vacation in view of the South Asian Games. There is no change to its duration or the holiday timetable causing an adverse effect on children's education," the Minister stressed.

"Instead of some Colombo schools having their vacation early, we decided to enforce the same timetable for all schools and begin vacation simultaneously," he added.

A media release was issued by UNP Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena alleging that there was a conspiracy behind the closure of State schools on Tuesday. Gunawardena called on the Government to reveal the real reason behind this action.

South Asian Games will commence on August 18 and will end on August 28.

Nearly 5,000 students are scheduled to participate in their school bands and for other various cultural events at the inaugural ceremony of the event.

Rehearsals are conducted for this purpose.

In addition, nearly 10,000 Police officers have been deployed to provide security to the South Asian Games from August 16.

A large number of schools in Colombo and suburbs have been set apart to provide lodging to those organising the events.