News
Revised schedule for stop-go schools resumption
A new timetable is being drawn up for schools resuming classes for all grades next month.
The Education Ministry said this is being done in view of health protocols that have to be followed when schools reopen on January 11.
Ministry Secretary, Prof Kapila Perera, said the new schedule will be sent to all schools with a focus on maintaining social distancing and observing other health guidelines.
He would not say if classes are to be held at staggered hours.
In the past two academic terms, classes were held only for students from grade 6 to 13. This helped students to be spaced out in classrooms used by primary pupils.
Also, classes for different grades were held according to a roster. Most children attended school for a maximum two days a week, designed to maintain social distancing in crowded classrooms.
Generally, classrooms in popular national schools and those in urban areas are packed with up to 40 to 50 per room.
Prof Perera said a plan will be prepared to allow in all students, while complying with coronavirus protocols.
Most of the crowded schools are in the Western Province, he said.
Schools in isolated areas will not open, but, he said that 77% of the schools in the country have fewer than 500 students with 35% (around 3,500) of schools having fewer than 100 students. “Maintaining social distancing in these schools will not be a problem,’’ Prof Perera said. “It will be a problem only in the big cities.’’
Schools will be disinfected and will be asked to maintain all virus-related health protocols. About Rs. 480 million has already been spent on washbasins, thermometers and emergency sick rooms.
Up to Rs. 15,000 has been disbursed to replenish stocks of liquid soap and hand sanitisers and face masks.
Also, Rs.105 million was given to 5,100 schools which functioned during the third term of 2020. Schools that have fewer than 100 students were given Rs. 8,000’ those having students between 100 to 200 given Rs 10,000, and schools with more than 200 students given Rs 12,000.
“Only the schools in the Western Province have not received funds as they were not functioning,’’ Prof Perera said. “The money will be disbursed as soon as they start operating next year.’’
Additionally, the ministry will distribute 2,393 thermometers given by UNICEF and the WHO to schools which have not purchased them.
Teacher unions said textbooks and school uniform materials for 2021 have not been issued. Although textbooks have been sent to schools, they have not been distributed to students.
Union general secretary Joseph Stalin, said that the school administrations had held them back not knowing the ministry’s direction on whether children would be allowed to move on to the next grade in the new year.
In 2020, children of all grades have not completed the syllabus, because schools opened only for a couple of months. However, a communique issued by the ministry on Wednesday (23), the day of school closure, said that all children will be promoted to the next grade.
“We have no choice,’’ Prof. Perera said.
As for school uniform materials, he said they would be issued early next month.
The CTU, while welcoming the decision to reopen schools, said that the ministry has to convince the parents that it is safe.
“Have a programme that will convince parents to send the children back to school,’’ Stalin recommended.
Schools began the third term on November 23 and the unions said schools were re-opened without proper planning.
Attendance was low with only 5% of the 4.3 million population showing up, the unions said.
The ministry, however, maintains that 52% students resumed classes.