The Minister of Education Professor G. L. Peiris

The Minister of Education Professor G. L. Peiris said that the government’s desire is to reopen the schools as soon as possible prioritizing the health protection of children, the first step of this is the vaccination and we need about 279,020 vaccines for this purpose and also the discussions are being held regarding the issues that may arise in this process. The minister said this at the end of the discussion held at the ministry of education with the specialist doctors about the possibilities of opening the schools.
Further expressing his ideas at this occasion the minister said,
Because of covid 19 we had to close all schools in the country. In order to minimise the loss happening to the children under these circumstances the ministry of education has launched several programs such as Gurugedara and Ethaksalawa and the education activities are continued online. But the distance education is not so successful compared to the classroom teaching done by the teachers. A long time is needed for the preparation for it. The ministry of education has taken a decision to open the schools only after taking the recommendations of specialist doctors.
The first step of this is the vaccination and all who are involved in the educational activities must be vaccinated. Roughly 279,020 vaccines are needed for academic and nonacademic staff in the sector. Improving the health protection of the teachers and building up the confidence of parents will happen through the vaccination.
The minister also said that the expectation of the government is to open the schools as soon as possible assuring the health protection of the children and the special attention has been drawn to safe transportation for them.
A gathering including the secretary of education Professor Kapila Perera, group of specialist doctors, the additional secretary of school affairs Mr. L.M.D. Dharmasena, the media secretary of the minister Mr. Buddhika Wikramadara had joined in this occasion.