Schools to reopen in four stages

• Under first stage schools will be reopened to A/L students and Grade 5
• G.C.E A/L and Grade 5 Scholarship exams postponed to September 
• Rs. 289 m to set up hand-washing facilities, Rs. 116 m to purchase thermometers

By Nuwan Senarathna

As the country is gradually returning to normalcy with no community COVID-19 infections being reported for over a month, the Education Ministry has decided to reopen all Government schools in four stages from 29 June.

Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said the decision was taken following a series of discussions with health and education experts. 

Accordingly, in the first stage the school principals, teachers and non-academic staff will return to schools on 29 June. In the second stage schools will be reopened for Grade 13, 11, and 5 students on 6 July. In the third stage academic activities of Grade 10 and 12 will start on 20 July. 

In the fourth stage schools will be reopened for Grade 3, 4,6,7,8, and 9. However, the Government is yet to decide a date to resume academic activities for Grade 1 and 2 students.

He also said that the Ministry has decided to postpone the G.C.E Advanced Level (A/L) examination until September. Accordingly, the A/L examination is scheduled to be held from 7 September to 2 October.  

“There were two options for holding the examination: either prepare question papers omitting the uncovered parts of the syllabus or to postpone the examination altogether. However, students, both facing the exam for the first and retake, had not agreed with the first option. Therefore, the exam was postponed to September,” the Minister said.

He also noted the Grade 5 Scholarship exam would be held on the September. Previously, it was scheduled to be held on 3 August.

Alahapperuma said the Ministry will assess the progress of the resumption of schools in all four stages for a week, before deciding to open the school for Grade 1 and 2 students. 

“School premises will be disinfected and will set up necessary facilities such as hand-washing facilities to assure the health safety guidelines from 29 June to 3 July. School officials will also plan how they are going to maintain health standards to keep the students safe. The Ministry was able to explore the best possible way to reopen schools, reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19,” he added.

Pointing out that the biggest challenge is to provide safe transport facilities to students, Alahapperuma noted the Education Ministry will hold a discussions with Transport Ministry officials to explore ways to provide safe transportation services to students.

The Ministry has also allocated Rs. 289 million to set up hand-washing facilities and Rs. 116 million to purchase thermometers for schools. Minister said that the Government would not hesitate to allocate more funds if needed to assure the safety of the country’s next generation.