Quarantine for many teachers and students as COVID-19 cases rise
View(s):Around 200 teachers and students in five districts are undergoing quarantine, with PCR tests being conducted across the country. As of July 23, three school children have tested positive for COVID-19, the Education Ministry said recently.
The Ministry also said provincial authorities have been instructed not to reopen any schools in the Rajanganaya and Welikanda education divisions before August 10, as the latest COVID-19 clusters were found in those areas.
All Government schools will reopen for Grade 11, 12 and 13 students on July 27, and school sessions will go on until 3.30 p.m. The Ministry also said all schools should follow the Health Ministry guidelines issued to school authorities.
“The Health Services Director General recommended that the other grades commence classes from August 10 onwards, the first Monday after the general election,” an Education Ministry official said.
Meanwhile, the Gampaha Medical Officer of Health (MOH)’s office had conducted PCR tests on students of a school in Gampaha, after a teacher of the school tested positive for COVID-19.
Students who had attended his tuition classes too had to undergo PCR tests.
With the Grade Five Scholarship examinations postponed to October 11 and Advanced Level examinations to begin on October 12, due to COVID-19 related school closures, the Education Ministry said the second term school vacation would be held from October 9 to November 12. (NF)