September school reopening in doubt: Minister reveals solution offered to protesting teachers

August 9, 2021 at 2:24 PM

Plans to reopen all schools in the first week of September, as previously announced, are in doubt, Minister of Education Professor G. L Peiris said today. 

Addressing a media briefing, Minister Peiris said schools will not be reopened as previously announced due to the current Covid situation in Sri Lanka. 

All schools were closed due to the third wave of the coronavirus, while lessons were conducted through online lectures. 

Stating that schools were set to reopen in stages in September, the Education Minister said the possibility of reopening schools as planned is now in doubt. 

The academic activities of children have also been affected due to teachers and principals withdrawing from online lectures to protest over salary anomalies. 

Commenting on the matter, Minister Peiris said the Cabinet has decided that the best solution for the issue will be implemented in the next budget, which will be presented in the coming three months, after taking into consideration the state of the economy at the time. 

He further said the protests being staged by teachers and principals over salary anomalies have severely affected school students, especially the 2020 GCE Ordinary Level students who are are yet to sit for their practical examinations and are awaiting their results. (NewsWire)