Primary Grades resume classes today

Primary sections of Government and Government-approved private schools will commence academic activities today (25). As part of the first phase, primary section of schools with fewer than 200 students began on 21 October.

Under the second phase, health recommendations have been obtained to begin primary sections in schools with more than 200 children. As a result, the Ministry of Education is collaborating with Provincial Governors, Provincial Principal Secretaries, Provincial Secretaries of Education, Provincial Directors of Education, Zonal Directors of Education, Principals, and other education authorities to re-establish long-term education in primary sections. 

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry is preparing to reopen schools for all grades beginning in the second week of November, per President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s direction. All teachers are scheduled to return to school today, bringing an end to a 100-day boycott of educational activity, including online teaching. This was owing to the desire from teachers and principals for the Government to address their salary disparities. 

However, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena informed Parliament that he expects all teachers and pupils to be present by Monday. He explained that poor attendance is usual when schools reopen following the COVID-19 outbreak. “It is an accomplishment that we’ve been able to continue classes at schools,” he remarked.