Appoint school committees if necessary, to check school bags: Minister

• The Minister has advised to appoint a committee consisting of school teachers, student leaders, and school development society representatives
• It is recommended that drug prevention programmes be established at the school, zonal and provincial levels

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

The Education Ministry is advised to appoint a committee consisting of school teachers, student leaders, and school development society representatives, if it is necessary to check the school bags, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.   He said the decision was taken as a measure to prevent the spread of drugs among schoolchildren. 

He said this while addressing a discussion at the ministry with the participation of ministry officials and other relevant institutions today.   

The Minister asked school principals to implement a circular (No. 20/2020) issued by the Education Ministry to ban the use, sale, and promotion of tobacco and related products and to make the school environment a tobacco-free one.   

It is also recommended that drug prevention programmes be established at the school, zonal and provincial levels.   

It is also advised to conduct continuous awareness programmes to identify drug victims and educate the teacher in this regard.   

It was also suggested that steps be taken to keep the school environment pleasant for students. 

• It is also advised to conduct continuous awareness programmes to identify drug victims and educate the teacher