Goa schools to reopen for Classes 7, 8 from November 25: Report

NEW DELHI: The Goa government has allowed school reopening in the state for Classes 7 and 8 from November 25, the Times of India reported. Bhushan Savaikar, director of education, told TOI that detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be issued soon.

On November 16, the Goa task force on COVID-19 had recommended starting offline classes for students of Classes 1 to 8 from November 22 with safety protocols.

Also Read | MP Board Exams 2022: MPBSE to conduct Class 10, 12 exams from February 17; Check complete timetable

A meeting of the task force, chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, took stock of the existing COVID-19 situation in the state before giving a go ahead for reopening schools for students of classes 1 to 8.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Sawant said though the task force has recommended reopening of schools for offline classes, the state government will take a final call after considering logistic issues. In-person teaching sessions in schools for students of classes 9 to 12 are already on in the state.

Also Read | “Open Schools”: People take to Twitter urging Delhi government to start schools

The CM said he has asked the education department to provide details of schools which have more than 1,000 students. “I have asked the department to submit a plan on how they will manage such a large number of students,” he said while leaving it to schools to decide how they will conduct offline classes.

The department will have to provide details of infrastructure available in these schools before going ahead with their reopening, Sawant said. He said when schools reopen all SOPs related to COVID-19 will have to be followed by management.

Also Read | Rajasthan education department to let schools decide on student strength for offline classes: Report

Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital Dr Shivanand Bandekar, a member of the task force, said the COVID-19 positivity rate in Goa has consistently remained below 1 per cent, which prompted them to suggest reopening of schools.