June 08, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education has introduced a comprehensive directive aimed at curbing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue and Chikungunya, across educational institutions throughout the country.
In a move to bolster previous efforts, the Ministry has outlined a new set of guidelines that supplements earlier circulars issued in 2010 and 2017. The latest instructions emphasise the urgent need for schools to adopt proactive measures to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites, both within and surrounding school premises.
Educational institutions are now required to formulate and carry out dedicated action plans to maintain a hygienic, mosquito-free environment. These programmes must be designed in a manner that does not disrupt the normal academic timetable or interfere with the delivery of education.
Heads of all state-run and recognised private schools, as well as administrators of religious learning centres such as ‘Pirivens’, Deans of National Colleges of Education, and officials at provincial education departments, have been formally notified of the new directive.
The Ministry has also issued a stern warning: during periodic inspections, any discovery of mosquito breeding sites on school grounds may result in legal proceedings against the principal or head of the institution.
This firm stance is intended to underscore the seriousness of the public health risk posed by these illnesses, which continue to affect communities nationwide.
