New guidelines being prepared to resume primary classes in school: Education Ministry

Admission letters to grade one students due next month, Pfizer vaccine to be given to 12-15 years age group

Health Services Director General is in the process of drawing out new guidelines to resume grade one to grade five classes in school next month.

Accordingly, the Education Ministry is expecting to resume classes from grade two to grade five when the new term begins on January 3.

The grade one admissions are being finalised and admission letters for the students are expected to be given by mid–January.

This is the first time the Gover nment is trying to resume classes for the primary grades after the COVID- 19 outbreak, even though the upper grades resumed classes in October. The resuming of classes for the primary grades was delayed due to the COVID- 19 risks.

A senior Education ministry official said separate guidelines were being prepared for primary students as different precautions were needed for the lower grades. The capacity of students in classes, physical distancing and other precautions will be included in the new guidelines.

Earlier Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said inschool academic activities for grade one students was to begin in April 2022, and he said the enrolment process was underway. But according to the Education Ministry’s new plans grade one students too would be enrolled in classes in January.

The Education Ministry has also worked out the examination schedule for next year. The Grade five Scholarship Exam will be held on January 22, the G. C. E. A/ L exams will be held from February 7 to March 5, and the G. C. E. O/ L exams will be held from May 23 to June 1.

Meanwhile in a related development, the Health Services Director General has granted approval to administer Pfizer vaccine for students between the age of 12 and 15 years.

Earlier, students above 15 years were granted approval to get the Pfizer vaccine. They will be given the vaccine when the next term begins on January 3. The Health DG has also granted approval to give the second dose for COVID-19 for those above 15 years. This includes more than 500,000 G. C. E O/ L and A/ L students in the island.