Civil Society groups caution Govt on re-opening schools on May 11

A group of civil society representatives have called on the government to take a more cautious approach when re-opening schools next month.

In a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa  13 organisations including the Voluntary Initiation for National Covid 19 Response Effort, Stop Child Cruelty Trust, university professors, trade unions and other stakeholders in the education sector  have requested the government   to refrain from  opening school on May 11.

They opined that opening schools without a proper transparent exit plan will place the country's  4.3 million school children at risk of contracting the virus.

Letter suggested  that instead of opening schools to all children at once,  to open  sections  on a priority basis with students who sit the national exams this year attending first.
This way the schools could arrange  classrooms with the concept of  maintaining social distancing it said. Meanwhile, the group advocated the setting up of alternative education methods with appropriative support system and the right environment in schools.

The decision it said should be taken collectively in discussion with the Ministry of Health, the National Child Protection Authority, Medical Officers of Health and other stakeholders. (Chrishanthi Christopher)