School Reopening: List of states resuming offline classes tomorrow; Covid-19 guidelines

NEW DELHI: Several states have decided to reopen schools for offline classes amid the third wave of Covid-19 and Omicron cases in India. Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Telangana, Pune district in Maharashtra are among others will resume physical classes from February 1.

The states recommended school reopening due to a drop in Covid-19 cases and also because of disruption caused to education due to the pandemic. Though some parents welcome school reopening several others are still apprehensive about the health and safety of the children.

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However, to ensure the safety of the students, states have issued Covid-19 guidelines and asked school principals and district administrators to assure strict adherence to the SOPs. States have also made it mandatory to allow students, teachers and staff on the campus only if they have got the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The Covid-19 vaccination drive for children in 15-18 age group began on January 3, 2022. The second dose of Covid-19 vaccine for children under this age group will begin today, January 31.

School reopen in Haryana

The Haryana education minister Kanwar Pal announced that schools will reopen for Classes 10, 11, and 12 from February 1. Only students who have taken at least the first dose of Covid vaccination will be able to attend physical classes, according to the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government. The schools should ensure that Covid-19 SOPs and guidelines are strictly followed on the premises.

When will schools reopen in Tamil Nadu?

Tamil Nadu schools and colleges will reopen from February 1, as per reports. The state government had earlier announced to hold the December semester exams for all state universities including engineering, arts and science and polytechnic in online mode. The state higher education minister K Ponmudy said that the Tamil Nadu universities will hold the semester exams online from February 1 to 20. However, Anna University recently postponed the exam scheduled on February 19 due to the local elections in the state.

List of states reopening schools from February 1

Telangana school reopening

Telangana government has decided to reopen all schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the state from February 1, the state education minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy said. Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had declared holidays for all educational institutions from January 8 to 16. Later, the curbs were extended to January 30.

School reopening in Rajasthan

Schools will open for Classes 10 to 12 from February 1 in Rajasthan and for Classes 6-9 from February 10, the government said on Friday in its new COVID guidelines. Students will continue to have the option of online education.

Pune

The Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday announced that the Pune schools, colleges will reopen on February 1. Classes 1 to 8 will have half a day but Classes 9 and 10 will have the usual school timing. Colleges will also function as per regular time. Ajit Pawar further said that consent from parents will be required to attend offline classes.

Meanwhile, the Tripura education minister Ratan Lal Nath said all schools, colleges and universities will open today. He said this decision was taken by the state government in consultation with the directors of the state health and education departments to compensate for the learning losses and mental wellness of the students.