Puducherry, Karaikal schools reopened for Classes 1 to 8

PUDUCHERRY: All government and private run schools in Puducherry and Karaikal regions which declared holiday for classes 1 to 8 reopened on Monday. The schools remained closed from September 17 as per the decision taken by Directorate of School Education as a precautionary measure in the wake of rise in number of flu cases among children, official sources said. Schools resumed working today and exams were held as per schedule, sources said.

Following closure of schools for students studying from classes 1 to 8 after a rise in flu-like illness among children, the Puducherry government had announced that classes will also be closed for LKG and UKG.

Joint Director of Education V G Sivagami issued the circular for government-run and private schools in Puducherry and Karaikal regions. The decision of the Department of School Education was taken based on the recommendation of the Health Department to shut the schools.

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"During the last 10 days, there have been at least 50 per cent spike in fever cases among children and their turnout at hospitals has also been on the rise," a spokesperson of the Health Department told PTI. The government-run Rajiv Gandhi Women and Child Hospital has been receiving a large number of children with complaints of fever, cough and cold, the spokesperson had said.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy and Home Minister A Namassivayam in-charge of Education gave their nod to the Education Directorate's decision taken in the wake of the Health Department's recommendation to declare holiday for LKG, UKG and also for classes 1 to 8 from Saturday till September 25.