No after school extra-curricular activities

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Despite the recommencement of schools, the Ministry of Education has decided to temporarily prohibit all extra-curricular activities conducted after school hours. Additional Secretary, M.M.Ratnayake noted that the decision was taken due to the current security crisis in the country. Meanwhile, the attendance of students in some schools saw a gradual increase, while some other schools saw a lower turnout than yesterday(May 06). Security units were deployed to ensure the safety of the students. The student attendance of the Royal College, Colombo increased compared to yesterday (May 06). Minister of Power, Energy and Business Development, Ravi Karunanayake visited the school and inspected the security status of the school premises. He noted that he was concerned about the safety of the school and the students. He added that he was an old boy of Royal College and he believed he was responsible for his alma maters' safety. He went on to note that in a critical national security crisis where it is difficult to ascertain the identities of the terrorists they ought to place their faith in security forces to solve the matter. However, the attendance of the students at Ananda College, Ananda Balika and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya were lower compared to yesterday(May 06). A school van driver noted that usually 300 vans would park at the parking lot and today it is reduced to only 3 vans. Another concerned citizen noted that the parents are afraid to send their children to schools. The student turn-out at Anuradhapura Central College was higher than yesterday(May 06). Ananda Hettiarachchi, Vice Principal of Anuradhapura Central College noted that they have implemented a security programme in order to ensure the safety of students. He explained that they have successfully divided security responsibilities between the academic staff and non-academic staff. The vice principal added that with their security protocol they are satisfied to a certain extent. He went on to note that the attendance of the students had improved drastically compared to yesterday(May 06).