Decision to hold schools next week to be taken on July 1

Decision on holding schools from July 4 to 8 will be taken on July 1, Education Ministry sources said.

Due to the fuel shortage in the country, it has been decided not to hold schools during the week from June 27 to July 1 in the Colombo region of the Western Province (WP) and in the main cities of other provinces as in the previous week.

However, schools in rural areas will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays if there is no transportation problem during the week from June 27 to July 1.

Ministry sources that the present fuel shortage has become a severe hindrance for holding schools as usual since both the parents and students are badly affected by it. After considering the fuel availability in the country by July 1, it will be decided whether the schools will be held in the coming week starting from July 4 to 8.

With the transportation difficulties, the Education Ministry has instructed principals to be flexible when marking the attendance of teachers. Accordingly private holidays will not be marked for teachers who do not attend school on these days.

However, if there is any problem regarding the conducting of schools during these days, the Provincial Secretaries of Education and the Provincial Directors of Education can inform the Governors of the Province and take a decision on the matter, the Ministry said in a statement.