Prelates of Asgiriya, Malwattu Chapters welcome decision to re-open schools

By Chamil Rupasinghe - Kandy   

Malwathu Chapter Anunayake Most Ven, Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thera, Asgiriya Chapter Anunayake, Most Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thera and Asgiriya Chapter Registrar Most Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said that the re-opening of schools during Covid-19 pandemic was a good decision and students and parents seem support that decision.   

Education Minister, G. L. Peiris received the blessings from the Theras yesterday.   

They also said that schools were closed for a long time last year and as the end of Covid-19 situation is not expected in the near future. “Keeping schools closed further will only affect the children. We will have to live with Covid-19 and there is nothing wrong in opening the schools following the health guidelines,” they added.   
Most Ven. Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thera said that by facing examinations during Covid-19, students showed that they could face anything in a safe manner. None of the students who sat for Grade five Scholarship examination contracted the virus and only one student who sat for A/L tested positive.   

 Asgiriya Chapter Anunayake, Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thera said that keeping the children confined to homes had a negative impact specially on rural children. “Also urban children who were engaged in many activities during school hours, were also impacted with the closing down of schools,” he added.    The Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said that he could not approve the criticisms of unions in the Education sector aimed at re-opening of schools by the government. “When students continue to remain at homes, their lives will go backwards. I appreciate the government’s decision to re-open schools amidst challenges,” he added.   

He also said that A/L results will be issued in April and students will be admitted to universities in September. Results of O/L examination in March will be issued in June and A/L classes will begin in July.     

Keeping the children confined to homes had a negative impact specially  on rural children. Also urban children who were engaged in many  activities during school hours, were also impacted with the closing down  of schools