Mar 25, Colombo: Prof. Kapila Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Education has issued a special circular regarding the commencement of the first grade of government schools and government approved private schools in the Western Province for the year 2021 and other grades which will not be started on 29th March 2021.

The circular has been issued to Provincial Chief Secretaries, Provincial Secretaries of Education, Provincial Directors of Education, Zonal Directors of Education, Divisional Directors of Education, Parivenadhipathis and Principals.

Accordingly, all schools in the Western Province will be reopened on March 29, 2021 for grades that have not yet been started. If an area is isolated, only schools in that area should be temporarily closed until the relevant period expires.

Three days have been set aside from tomorrow, March 26 to March 28 to prepare schools as a hygienic place for the learning and teaching process.

It is further emphasized that it is not appropriate to direct children to exams and competitions as soon as school starts, giving priority to adapting children back to the school environment and doing appropriate activities to improve their mental health.

The circular also includes a guide on how to conduct classes maintaining personal distance.

Accordingly, classes for up to 15 students should be held every day of the week. Classes with 16-30 students should be split into two groups and should be held every other week. Classes with more than 30 students should be divided into three groups and classes should be held on an equal number of days.

With regard to the summoning of academic and non-academic staff to the school, the circular states that as the student learning and teaching process will resume, all of the staff will be required to report for duty as usual.

The guidelines have been published on the official website of the Ministry of Education (www.moe.gov.lk).

Accordingly, schooling for the first term will be completed on 9th April 2021 and the resumption for the second term will take place on 19th April 2021.