COVID-19: Schools, colleges reopen in Puducherry as Covid cases decline

PUDUCHERRY: All schools and colleges which remained closed since January 10 because of the rise in coronavirus cases here re-opened on Friday. Now that the cases were declining, a decision was taken by the Puducherry government to resume classes offline. A spokesman of the directorate of education said the institutions would function on all six days and were asked to ensure adherence to safety protocols. Students wearing masks were let into the premises only after sanitisation.

Schools are fully open in 11 states, partially opened mainly for higher classes in 16 states and continue to remain closed in nine states, Union education ministry officials said on Thursday. Sharing the status of closure of schools across the country, officials said at least 95 per cent teaching and non-teaching staff in all states has been vaccinated, while some states have even achieved 100 percent vaccination coverage for the staff in schools.

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The state of Kerala has also decided to start offline classes for students from February 7. "The Classes for 10, 11 and 12th standards and college students will begin from February 7. The classes for children from Class 1 to 9, creche and kindergarten will start from February 14," a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office said.

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Delhi schools will also be reopening for offline classes in a phased manner, by strictly following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, starting from February 7, as per the decision by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Schools in Delhi will reopen for Classes 9 to 12 from February 7, 2022. Offline classes will resume for nursery to Class 8 from February 14 onwards.

(With inputs from PTI)