Health officials to be consulted before re-opening schools

COLOMBO (News1st): The education ministry has decided to consult health officials before re-opening schools for the second term owing to the current situation surrounding COVID - 19. The first term holidays were advanced to March 13 with the second term set to begin on April 20 following a decision made the ministry last month. However, N.H.M. Chitrananda, the secretary to the education ministry said the date of re-opening schools is likely to be extended, as the country continues to tighten measures seeking to combat the coronavirus. He added that a final decision in this regard will be taken upon consultation with health officials. Meanwhile, the Education Ministry said that selected schools will be disinfected before the commencement of the second term. Schools which were used as quarantine centres will also be disinfected, the ministry noted.