An extra hour of school every Friday to complete syllabus: Ed. Ministry

Final decision to be taken tomorrow

The Education Ministry is to extend the school hours by one hour every Friday in the last term for this year to complete the syllabus.

The final decision is to be taken tomorrow at a meeting presided over by Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The decision is to be taken due to insufficient time to complete the syllabuses for this year as part of the first term was used to complete the syllabus from the last year.

A senior Education Ministry official said only 139 days of school days were left in contrast to 160 days between April 18 and December 20. During the period, three term end holidays should be provided and the G.C.E. Ordinary Level and Advanced Level exams and the grade five scholarship exams should be held.

The extra 39 hours will help to complete the syllabuses, the official said.

However, in the event the time period was not sufficient, moves would be taken to consider having school classes on Saturdays. But it had been pointed out that fuel issues may affect this plan, the official added.

For Monday’s discussion education directors including zonal directors will take part to take a final decision.

Thereafter the principals will be informed on the implementation of this scheme.

However education sector trade unionist Mahinda Jayasinghe said teachers should volunteer for such a programme after consultation with them.

“We are aware that there is a problem in completing the syllabus, but the teachers cannot be forced to do so,” he said.