Ministry urges schools to step up mosquito control amid dengue, Chikungunya threat

Colombo, June 5 (Daily Mirror) - With the onset of the monsoon season increasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, authorities have instructed all Provincial and Zonal Education Directors to ensure that school environments across the island are kept clean and free of mosquitoes.

The directive comes in response to a rising threat of dengue and Chikungunya virus infections reported in several areas. Health authorities have warned that a significant number of dengue cases recorded up to May 31 involve school-age children between 5 and 19 years.

In addition to the previously issued circulars 2010/22 and 30/2017, the Ministry of Education has released fresh guidelines, urging all relevant officials including Provincial Directors of Education, Zonal Directors of Education and other educational administrators to strictly adhere to these updated safety measures to protect students, teachers and non-academic staff.

The Ministry has also formally notified principals of all government and government-approved private schools, heads of pirivenas, deans of national colleges of education and directors of other educational institutions to prioritise dengue and mosquito control measures within their premises.

Health officials continue to stress the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding grounds such as stagnant water and maintaining clean, waste-free surroundings to curb the spread of these life-threatening diseases.

Further awareness campaigns and school inspections are expected to be carried out in the coming weeks as part of the national mosquito control drive.