Schools remain open despite spike in COVID 19 – says officials. Sri Lanka Ministry of Education Secretary, Prof Kapila Perera says no plans to close schools and they will continue following health guidelines.
Meanwhile All schools in Trincomalee have been closed until further notice. Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath has instructed all schools in the Trincomalee Education Zone to close until further notice. The decision was taken as a precaution to prevent school children from being infected with the virus.
Sri Lanka currently experiencing a spike in COVID 19 cases that forced the health authorities to postpone opening of universities until 31 May.
However, schools and preschools continue to function on reduced number of students conducting classes on rotation basis.
Prof Perera said special committees have been established at school level headed by respective Principals.
Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said more young people have now been found to be infected with the coronavirus in Sri Lanka.
Health guidelines will be strictly enforced as schools resume from April 27.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Professor Kapila Perera earlier said that the existing health guidelines for schools will be enforced. Professor Kapila Perera said that washing hands, maintaining social distancing and bringing food from home are the basic health requirements.
He said that so far new guidelines have not been issued for schools.
“We will follow the existing health guidelines until the health authorities issue new guidelines,” he said.
Professor Kapila Perera said that as per the existing guidelines, if there are 15 students in a class then all 15 can attend on the same day.
However, he said that if there are between 16 and 30 students then the class needs to be split into two where one set of students attend classes one week and the other the following week.
He said that if there are more than 31 students then the class must be split into three and ensure students attend classes at least three days a week.
Professor Kapila Perera said that the coronavirus is still spreading around the world and so the school authorities in Sri Lanka and parents must ensure the health guidelines are closely followed.