COVID-19: Schools fully open in 11 states, closed in nine, says education ministry

NEW DELHI: 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.

"Taking into account the extensive vaccination coverage, the ministry of education had issued revised guidelines to states in December last year and the decision to ask for parents consent was left with states," Sweety Changsan, joint secretary, ministry of education said during a press conference. "Also, the revised guidelines talked about congregations and gatherings which were earlier banned in schools. As per new advisory, schools may celebrate events and hold gatherings according to the SOPs issued by concerned state," she added.

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Odisha government has decided to open schools for classes 8 to 10, colleges and universities on February 7 as the COVID-19 cases in the state are declining, chief secretary SC Mohapatra said on Thursday. For kindergarten to class 7, Odisha schools will reopen on February 14, he said. Students are provided with the option to choose whether to attend classes offline, online or in a hybrid mode.

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