Consider reopening schools within 2 months: High Court tells Odisha government

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to decide about reopening schools within two months. Disposing a writ petition, the single-judge bench of Justice Biswanath Rath also asked the Odisha government to consider the pending representation of the petitioner within the same period.

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The petitioner had approached the court seeking directions to the government to reopen schools as early as possible, adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, arguing that bars, restaurants, shopping malls and other establishments have been allowed to operate.

The state is also gearing up for the urban body elections, the petitioner stated, questioning as to why students should be deprived of school education. The Odisha government had ordered shutdown of all schools and colleges from January 10 in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will meet tomorrow to discuss further relaxations in COVID-19 curbs, including reopening of schools, in view of the declining cases in the state.

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Moreover, the ministry of education has issued modified guidelines for school reopening to curb the spread of Covid-19, Omicron variant. As per the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the ministry, the state governments and union territories can decide whether the consent of parents or guardians are required for students to attend physical classes.

(with inputs from PTI)