By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

Grade six to thirteen in all schools excluding the western province and isolated police areas will be re-opened for their third term on November 23, Education Minister G.L. Pieris said.  

He said all Government schools were scheduled to be opened on November 9 but due to COVID-19 pandemic situation the date was postponed for two weeks (November 23).  

However, schools in Gampaha, Kalutara and Colombo Districts in the Western Province (WP) will not open on November 23 for their third term. 

 
The students residing in those districts are not permitted to leave from their districts and the students from other districts are also not permitted to enter the WP, Minister said.  

Grade one to five will not open for their third term on November 23, he said.  

“Taking a common decision for all schools from Isurupaya Education Ministry is not practical, because the situation from school to school is different. Therefore a committee comprising the school principal was appointed in each school to take necessary decisions for managing the student capacity,” Minister Pieris said.  

The zonal education directors have the main responsibility of implementing the decisions taken by the school committees, he said.  

Also the date for the G.C.E Ordinary Level examination was announced to be held from January 18 to 27, 2021. But there is an issue on schools at isolated police areas.  

“Within two weeks, a decision will be taken regarding opening of grade 10 and 11 in schools. If a satisfactory decision is not made after the two weeks, another discussion will be held to consider changing the examination date,” Minister Pieris said.  

A circular in this regard will be issued to all schools today, the Minister added.    

• zonal education directors have the main responsibility of implementing decisions taken by the school committees