July 27, Colombo: The GCE Ordinary Level Examination which was scheduled to be held in January next year will be held from Monday 21st February to Thursday 03rd March 2022, said the Minister of Education Prof. GL Peiris.

Speaking at a media briefing held at SLPP office at Nelum Mawatha on Monday, Prof. Peiris said the Teacher, Academic and Non-Academic Staff Vaccination Program, which is currently being implemented island wide with the objective of starting schools as soon as possible, has been completed by 77% by Monday morning (2021/07/26).

According to the Minister, 98% in the Western Province, 83% in the Southern Province, 82% in the North Western Province, 82% in the North Central Province, 80% in the Uva Province, 79% in the Central Province, 62% in the Northern Province, 52% in the Sabaragamuwa Province and 48% in the Eastern Province have completed the vaccination.

Accordingly, 222,940 vaccines have been given under this program as of Monday morning and the second dose of the vaccine is expected to be given before the end of August.

It is expected to start schools step by step by the end of August or early September, subject to the instructions of the health authorities, the Minister said.

He said the government was making every effort to address the issue of teachers’ salary anomalies, adding that the situation had existed for 24 years and that his government was sensitive to the issue.

The Minister said the DC Perera report revealed this issue and the President Rajapaksa has stated in his ‘Vision of Prosperity’ policy statement that this is a priority.

Prof. Peiris recalled that after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to power, the then Minister of Education, Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, presented a Cabinet paper in this regard and after he took over the Ministry of Education, a committee consisting of five senior officials of the Ministry was appointed to submit a full report in this regard. Accordingly, the Subodhini report has been submitted after an in-depth study of this issue.

Discussions were held continually with the trade unions in this regard and measures have been taken to present a cabinet paper when the Cabinet meets Monday evening, the Minister said.

Another discussion is also scheduled to be held with the teachers’ unions this (27) morning.

Therefore, the Minister requested the teachers to continue the online education without pressuring the students.