School Reopening Updates: List of states resuming offline classes tomorrow

NEW DELHI: In view of the declining Covid-19 cases in India and extensive vaccination coverage, state governments have started reopening schools, colleges and universities. Several states have also relaxed the restrictions imposed and ordered schools to resume physical classes with strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. Delhi, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh have decided to reopen schools from February 7, 2022.

Union education ministry recently informed that schools are fully open in 11 states, partially opened mainly for higher classes in 16 states and continue to remain closed in nine states.

The ministry also said at least 95% teaching and non-teaching staff in all states have been vaccinated, while some states have even achieved 100% vaccination coverage for the staff in schools.

Delhi schools reopen

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has decided to reopen schools in Delhi in phased manner. Schools for Classes 9 to 12 will reopen from February 7, 2022. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced later that the panel has also decided to resume classes from nursery to 8 from February 14.

Following DDMA’s order, Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh said that the university will open in a few days and they will formulate a strategy in this regard. An official from Jamia Millia Islamia said that they will wait for the UGC guidelines and then they will discuss reopening the campus in their Executive Council meeting.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh schools, colleges will reopen on Monday, February 7, additional chief secretary, home, Awanish K Awasthi said on Sunday. According to the government order, “Educational institutions for classes 9 and above, along with all degree colleges, will be restarted from February 7, 2022, until further orders.”

West Bengal

The West Bengal education department had issued a notice to roll out a new initiative called 'Paray Sikshalay' (neighbourhood school) under which primary and pre-primary students of state-run schools will be given lessons in open spaces. The open-air session for primary school will begin from February 7, 2022.

The project, having received the approval of state secretariat 'Nabanna', would be roping in para-teachers and primary school teachers to impart elementary education to students of Classes 1 to 5. West Bengal Schools for Classes 8 to 12, colleges and universities reopened on February 3.

Kerala

Kerala schools for Classes for 10, 11 and 12 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. The health department has completed vaccination of 72% of children in the age group of 15-18, while the second dose has been administered to 85 per cent of the targeted population, according to the release.

The decision was taken at the COVID-19 evaluation meeting after Kerala registered a dip in Covid-19 cases on Thursday.

Odisha

Odisha schools for Classes 8 to 10, colleges and universities will reopen on February 7. The decision was taken keeping in view the decline in the COVID-19 cases across the state, chief secretary SC Mohapatra said. For students of kindergarten to Class 7, schools will reopen on February 14, he said.

Students will have the option to attend the classes offline, online or in a hybrid mode, he added. Short-term training and skill development training centres will also reopen from February 7, Mohapatra said, adding that the hostels have also been allowed to reopen.

Gujarat

The Gujarat government on Saturday announced the reopening of schools for Classes 1 to 9 from February 7. A circular issued by the education department said that considering the COVID-19 situation, government, private and grant-in-aid schools can resume offline education for Classes 1 to 9 from Monday. But online teaching will also continue and students can choose between the two systems, it added.