Legal action would be taken against persons or groups who are involved in spreading alleged rumours and fake news with the aim of sabotaging the school activities and fulfil their narrow political and personal agendas, the Education Ministry today said.

They said several complaints had been received claiming certain groups had allegedly forced principals, teachers and students not to present in schools. Also, action would be taken to pass the information on such individuals and groups to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Ministry said.

Due to the increase in attendance of schoolchildren, the Education Ministry had instructed all school heads to take measures to conduct academic activities regularly.

After assuring the safety of schoolchildren and the school community by the government, the Ministry had decided to resume schools for the second term on Monday 6, they said.

The Army, Police and Civil Defence Force officers had been assigned to schools to ensure the safety of the schoolchildren and the school community, the Ministry added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)