Schools to re-open their doors to primary students next year, under COVID guidelines
View(s):Plans are underway to resume classes for primary classes from next year under health guidelines, State Minister of Women and Child Development, Pre-School & Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services Piyal Nishantha said.
Mr Nishantha said that they were in the process of preparing guidelines to continue education in schools, mainly focusing on the smaller grades which have been deprived of education due to the closure of schools.
He said among the proposals were plans to use the same teacher for a couple of classes.
The moves come after a survey revealed the closure of schools due to the COVID situation had resulted an increase in violence against children in their homes with the most affected being children between grades one and five.
The Education Ministry had carried out the survey through its zonal education offices. Depression, harassment, incidents of assault and torture are among the incidents reported.
State Minister Nishantha told the Education Times there were instances of school children conceiving due to instances of sexual abuse as well.
“Due to the closure of schools, children have gained lots of free time leading to the incidents of abuse,” he said.
He said for this reason it was difficult to allow children to remain confined to their houses.
“The children have also lost valuable school time,” he added.
He said measures would also be taken to provide relief for students affected through abuse and counselling was one of the methods to be provided as relief. He said discussions were also underway with health officials on the measures that would be taken to reopen the classes.