Education Minister Prof. G. L. Peris yesterday said that schools will be reopened for grade 2–13 students in all parts of the country today except schools in the Western province and isolated areas.
He said that the Ministry arrived at this decision after taking all measures to ensure the health security of the students.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo yesterday, the Minister said that reopening of schools from Grade 2 – 13 will take place today on a plan made by the Ministry.
“We have put in place a mechanism to ensure that all schools comply with the measures to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.
The Minister said that a committee headed by the principal of the respective school has been entrusted with a responsibility of implementing health guidelines and the committee comprises Public Health Inspector, Grama Niladhari, Police officer and members of School Development Committee and Old Pupils’ Association.
Measures have also been taken to monitor how this committee is functioning at a number of levels and all zonal educational directors and provincial educational directors will get involved in the monitoring.
The Minister added that school authorities had a series of discussion with the parents, teachers and other parties involved over the reopening of schools from Wednesday.
The Minister added that a number of discussions were held with Transport Ministry officials, officials of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), Sri Lanka Railway (SLR) and the representatives of the School Van Drivers’ Associations over the reopening of schools.
Minister Prof G. L. Peris and Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera engaged in a discussion with the Provincial Education Directors through Zoom technology yesterday.
