• If student groups are unable to attend school, it is possible to use online teaching methods where there are facilities

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

All government and government-approved private schools in Colombo city limits as well as schools in other main cities in other provinces will be closed during next week, the Education Ministry said.   

Education Ministry Secretary Nihal Ranasinghe said permission was granted to  Provincial Education Officers to start and maintain schools with lower numbers of students at divisional level under conditions where transportation difficulties would not affect students, teachers and principals.  

If student groups are unable to attend school, it is possible to use online teaching methods where there are facilities for those students, the secretary said.   He said the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL)has agreed that power cuts would be avoided from 08.00 am to 01.00 pm to facilitate online teaching on weekdays.  
Meanwhile, duties performed voluntarily by principals and teachers during this period would be appreciated by the Ministry.