Schools reopen: 80-85% attendance recorded

By Sarah Hannan

With all grades required to attend school since yesterday (10), positive attendance had been marked from schools across the island at 80-85%, the Department of Education noted. “The schools have been issued specific timings to conduct lessons for segments of grades, with secondary schools that have over 200 students in total having to conduct lessons for grades 6 through 9 from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., and grades 10 through 13 from 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Primary schools from grades 1 through 5 will conduct lessons at the regular school times,” Ministry of Education Secretary N.H.M. Chithrananda told The Morning. Chithrananda also noted that the reason behind student attendance being 80-85% is the Advanced Level students not physically being in class, given that this is their study leave period. Meanwhile, grades 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8 are only required to be in class just one day per week, with grades 4 and 9 required to attend school two days a week. Grades 5, 10, 11, 12, and 13 will have classes on all five days of the week. Although classes were to be held over the weekend, the new timetable that is set out only indicates that school will be held during the week, from Monday to Friday.