Schools set to close early

Chronicle Reporter
THE Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, yesterday announced that schools will now close on 26 July instead of 8 August.
Minister Coltart said the schools were closing early because most schools were going to be used as polling stations for the harmonised elections on 31 July. He said most teachers were also going to be engaged as polling officers.

In a statement posted on his Face Book page, Minister Coltart said schools would close on 26 July and open on 3 September.

“The Ministry advises all responsible authorities, heads of schools, parents, learners, stakeholders and the general public that due to the harmonised elections scheduled for 31 July 2013, schools will close on 26 July 2013.

“This is necessary to enable the participation of teachers in this national exercise as well as the use of schools as polling stations. In order to compensate for some of the lost time, the third term will begin on 3 September instead of 10 September 2013 and close on 5 December,” said Minister Coltart.

He advised schools with events that could not be adjusted to apply to the ministry.

“If individual schools have particular events which they will find difficult to adjust or postpone they may apply to the Permanent Secretary for permission to continue with these events.

“Sympathetic consideration will be given to these applications as long as they do not clash with the election itself and do not involve keeping the entire school open. The Ministry hopes that all concerned will take note of this change to the school calendar,” said Minister Coltart.