Friday prayer decision left to schools

The provincial education ministries have requested the Ministry of Education to allow schools to close early on Fridays to enable Muslim students to go to mosques for prayers.

The provincial authorities have asked the ministry to issue a separate circular.

Ministry secretary M.H.M. Chitrananda, said he had directed provincial administrations and the principals of schools to deal with the matter.

He said: “No circulars or directive is needed from the ministry. They can take a decision.’’