The first school term was started from today (11) for the schools in the island except the schools in the western province and the locked down areas. Thirty two schools in the eastern province, nine schools in the northern province, four schools in the central province, fourteen schools in the Sabaragamuwa province, eight schools in the southern province and two schools in the north western province were not opened today and all the other schools in these provinces started today.
According to the information received by the ministry of education about the attendance of teachers and students at provincial level, it is a significant feature that a higher percentage of teacher-student attendance is identified in the schools in rural areas. The total percentage of student attendance in the schools opened today in eight provinces except the western province is 51% and the total attendance of teachers is 88%. The highest attendance of students is recorded in the Uva province that is 71%. The highest percentage of attendance of teachers, that is 95%, is reported from the Northern Province.
The secretary of education expresses his thankfulness to the officers and the staffs in all sectors including health, transport and the defense for their contribution extended to make the decision taken by the ministry of education for bringing students to the schools and the complete procedure submitted for it a successful one while accepting responsibly the challenge present in the face of new normal covid situation. The secretary of education also expressed his thankfulness to the education officers at provincial, zonal and divisional levels, principals, teachers and parents who assist to implement the health guidelines properly at school level. He specially thanked the media institutions who make the people aware of this situation continuously.
The secretary of education Professor Kapila Perera further emphasized saying that in order to decide the opening of schools in the western province in the future, the situation in the other provinces will be taken into consideration. A group of people including the additional secretary of education Mr. D. Dharmasena had joined in this occasion.
The complete report of the attendance of teachers and the students in each province is attached herewith.
