June 09, Colombo: All government schools will reopen from June 29 in four stages, Minister of Education Dullas Alahapperuma announced today.

Addressing a media briefing today, the Minister said the decision to reopen the schools on the 29th of this month was taken after a special discussion held today at the Ministry of Education following discussions with the President, the Education Ministry, the Health Ministry officials, the Higher Education Ministry, Cabinet Ministers and officials of the Presidential Task Force.

He said at the first stage, circulars would be sent to schools requesting all teachers, principals, non-academic staff and School Management Boards to report to schools from June 29 to July 3.

The Minister said there was no need for schoolchildren to attend schools for another week as the entire week starting from the 29th of June will be used for disinfecting and cleaning classrooms as well as to add upgrades to the existing school system and for meetings between schools and parents.

The schools will be opened for children from July 6 in a number of stages.

Accordingly, only students in grades 13, 11, and 5 will be able to attend the school in the second stage. This phase will be implemented from July 6th to the 17th. Children in grades 10 and 12 will be able to attend the schools from July 20. This phase will continue until July 24. The fourth stage will begin on July 27 for Grade 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. No decision has been taken as yet to reopen schools for Grade 1 and 2.

Students of Grade 12 and 13 will have classes from 7.30 AM to 3.30 PM. All other grades will be taught from 07.30 AM to 11.30 AM.

He said at the first stage, circulars would be sent to schools requesting all teachers, principals, non-academic staff and School Management Boards to report to schools from June 29 to July 3.

The minister said there was no need for schoolchildren to attend schools for another week because the classrooms would have to be cleaned and disinfected against the spread of COVID-19.

"The students in Grades 5, 11 and 13 will have to attend schools from July 6 at the second stage, which will continue for two weeks until July 17," he said.

The third stage will begin on July 20 for students in Grade 10 and 12. It will continue until July 24. The fourth stage will begin on July 27 for Grade 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9."

However, the Minister said no decision has been taken as yet to reopen schools for Grade 1 and 2.

The Ministry has decided to postpone the GCE advanced Level, which was earlier scheduled to begin on 5th August, to be held from 7th September to 2nd October.

Further, the Grade 05 Scholarship Examination will take place on the 13th of September.