The Ministry of Education this week instructed principals to facilitate administrative functions at their respective schools. Schools were opened from 20 to 22 May and will be open from 27 to 29 May during normal school hours, so that the students who have been qualified to enter state universities are able to attest their prospectus. Students and the school administration were requested to adhere to health guidelines that were issued previously. “The day to reopen schools for operations is yet to be decided. However, we have instructed schools to facilitate the administrative work as students who passed their Advanced Level examinations have to apply for university entry. We also had meetings with school administrations to give them clear instructions on the steps they will have to follow before reopening the schools once the date is announced,” Ministry of Education Secretary N.H.M. Chithrananda said. According to Chithrananda, the necessary disinfectants and sanitisers are to be distributed among all state-owned schools in the coming days. He also noted that the Ministry will adhere to the plan on opening schools in stages to make sure that the necessary precautions are in place to ensure the health and safety of the school staff and the students. The Ministry of Education is to await the all-clear from the Ministry of Health to reopen schools. Until such time, the school administrations are to prepare the schools to welcome the students once the term starts.