Purchasing thermometers on hold By Sarah Hannan Administrations of state-owned schools have been left to fend for themselves with the Ministry of Education failing to issue clear and concise guidelines for when schools commence for the second academic term on 6 July, the Ceylon Teachers’ Union revealed. While a decision is yet to be made on which set of guidelines schools will have to follow, the decision of purchasing thermometers for schools too seems to have come to a standstill. “Over the past weeks, there was an issue on whether thermometers need to be purchased, and concerns were raised over the value of the tender as well, which was some Rs. 84 million. “Since the Ministry does not have funds, it seems they have dropped the idea of purchasing thermometers, and have now said that the temperature of students and staff need not be taken upon entering the school premises,” Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin told The Morning. While the education authorities seem to be changing the guidelines to fit their bill, Health Service Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe reiterated the importance of adhering to the stipulated guidelines that were first issued. “We said that children need not wear face masks once they enter the school premises, so they may not feel uncomfortable when conducting their studies. However, the basic requirement to provide hand-washing facilities and taking a temperature reading when they enter the school premises is a must,” Dr. Jasinghe stated.