Academic activities resume at schools today: Ministry of Education

COLOMBO (News 1st): Academic activities of Grades 5, 11 and 13 at government schools that were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic will resume today (July 6), according to Education authorities. The Ministry of Education took relevant measures to resume academic activities at schools under several phases, based on instructions and guidance of the Director-General of Health Services. Under the 1st phase, schools re-opened for principals, teachers, management and non-academic staff on the 29th of June. Under the 2nd phase that gets underway today, academic activities will resume for Grades 5, 11 and 13. "Cleaning, disinfection as well as facilities to wash hands will be available at all schools," said the Ministry of Education. All students, teachers and the entire staff at schools are required to wear face masks when travelling from home to schools and leaving from schools. Further, the Ministry of Education said measures were taken to revise time tables to cover the time that was missed due to the closure of schools. Accordingly, based on the revised time tables for Grades 11 and 13, classes will be conducted from 7:30 am till 3:30 pm, while for Grade 5 students classes will be conducted from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Under the next phase of re-opening schools, students of Grades 10 and 12 will return for studies on the 20th of July. Except for Grades 1 and 2, schools will re-open for all other Grades, that is 3,4,6,7,8 and 9, on the 27th of July. For Grades 1 and 2, classes will resume on the 10th of August. The Ministry of Education noted that parents should be vigilant on whether children are showing any symptoms such as cough, fever or cold before sending them to school. Thereby, the Ministry emphasized any students who show such symptoms should not attend schools. According to the Ministry, teachers and heads of schools have been notified on the precautions and health measures to follow, if any student falls sick while at school. The Ministry of Education has further requested principals to only focus on academic activities and put on hold all other extra-curricular activities, sports competitions as well as school term examinations.