Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the education authorities to seek the assistance of pediatricians to take measures against Covid once schools are reopened. The Prime Minister was addressing a discussion at Temple Trees on the reopening of schools and the vaccination of teachers and students, the Prime Minister's Office said. The Prime Minister pointed out the importance of reopening schools in several phases as soon as the Covid pandemic was brought under control, adding that teachers could be vaccinated through the Ministry of Health. Representatives of the Association of Pediatricians who participated in the discussion stated that their association could provide assistance at the zonal level to avoid problems that may arise during the reopening of schools. Accordingly, the representatives of their association pointed out that they will formalize the relevant activities by nominating representatives for the 99 education zones scattered throughout the country. Prof. Kapila Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Education pointed out that if a vaccination program is implemented during the reopening of schools, priority should be given to Grade 11 and Grade 13 students. Prof. Kapila Perera also pointed out the need to vaccinate nearly 300,000 people, including around 270,000 teachers and non-academic staff, to make this a success.