All schools in Western Province to reopen on March 15 - Education Minister

The Education Ministry has reversed an earlier decision to reopen a majority of schools in the Western Province on February 15. Accordingly, all schools in the province will now reopen on March 15. 

Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris announced the change in the decision at a media briefing held at the Education Ministry premises today.

Prof. Peiris said they had earlier hoped to reopen most schools in the Western Province on February 15. However, the Education Ministry had held the view that this could be done only subject to recommendations from the Health Ministry. 

"We received the recommendations given by Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena this morning. Accordingly, since the GCE Ordinary Level Examination is to be held from March 1 to 11, he has recommended that all schools in the three districts in the Western Province be reopened on March 15," the Education Minister told the media. 

Accordingly, classes for all grades in schools in the Western Province will recommence on March 15, as per recommendations of health authorities. Students who are to start classes in Grade 1 for 2021 will also commence classes on this day, Minister Peiris said.