Schools in main cities to be closed for a week

All government and government-approved private schools in Colombo city limits as well as schools in other main cities in the other provinces will be closed during the next week, the Education Ministry said.

Education Minisrey Secretary Nihal Ranasinghe said permission was granted to the Provincial Education Officers to start and maintain schools with less number of students at the divisional level under conditions where transportation difficulties do not affect the students, teachers and principals.

If any student groups unable to attend in the school even though it is available, it is possible to use the online teaching method if there are facilities for those students, the secretary said.

He said the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL)has agreed not to have powercuts from 08.00 am to 01.00 pm to facilitate online teaching on weekdays.

Meanwhile, the duties performed voluntarily by principals and teachers during this period would be appreciated by the Ministry. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)