Consultant paediatric physicians working closely with Government officers to reopen schools

The Government has decided to re- open schools under the supervision of consultant paediatric physicians.

Health services Director General Asela Gunawardena said they have planned to issue guidelines to the Education Ministry to reopen schools under four stages.

He said 100 consultant physicians have been already assigned to 100 education zones to coordinate the reopening of schools under strict health guidelines.

Dr Gunawardena said they have planned to open primary schools with 100 students on October 15, under the first stage.

Gradually they will reopen schools which will facilitate more than 200 students under the second stage, he said. Afterwards under the third stage students studying from grade five to the A/L classes will be reopened. At the final stage all classes in all schools will be re-opened.

Dr Gunawardena said Medical Officers of Health, Public Health Inspectors and the 100 consultants as well as district secretaries are also to visit schools and carry out preparations for the re-opening of schools.

Meanwhile elaborate arrangements are due to be made next week on the Government’s plans to reopen schools with less than 200 children.

Education Ministry Secretary Kapila Perera said around 5000 schools are to reopen under the plan and Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has already consulted the Provincial Governors.

He said the next round of discussions will be with educational officers on the reopening of schools, while the support of teachers, parents and well-wishers will be sought to prepare schools for reopening.