Schools will reopen for Grades 6 and above from the 23rd of November as previously scheduled, said Minister of Education Prof. G. L. Peiris.

However, this will not apply to the schools in the Western Province and areas currently under lockdown.

The Education Minister mentioned this holding a press conference today (November 19).

In addition, students in the Western Province are not allowed to attend schools outside province boundaries while students outside the Western Province may not attend schools in the Western Province.

Considering the disparities in schools [which are allowed to reopen from November 23], the decisions with regard to each school will be made by a committee led by the principal of each school, the Minister added.

Each committee will be comprised of the principal of the school, the Regional Public Health Inspector (PHI), Grama Seva Officer, a representative of the school’s development board, and a representative from the past pupil’s association of the school.

The decision taken by each committee will be supervised by the Zonal Education Director.

Previously, the third term for schools was set to commence November 09 before it was postponed by 2 weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Meanwhile, the G. C. E. Ordinary Level Examination for the year 2020 will be held from January 18, 2021, to January 27, 2020.

However, considering the ability to hold classes for Grade 10 and 11 in isolated areas, a final decision with regards to the aforementioned dates [for the O/L exam] will be taken within 2 weeks.

If classes cannot be held for the O/L students in the isolated areas, the decision might be taken to reconsider the dates for the exam, the Minister said.