West Bengal schools for classes 8-12, colleges, universities to reopen from February 3

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government allowed schools to reopen for classes 8 to 12 from February 3 as the pandemic situation improved in the state.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said colleges, universities and polytechnic institutes will also reopen on that day. "We will decide on reopening primary schools later," she said. Banerjee said the COVID-19 situation in the state has improved a lot, because of which certain relaxations are being given.

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West Bengal schools remained closed till today, January 31, 2022, as the government extended the Covid restrictions in the state to the end of the month. Administration of all educational institutions was permitted to function with half of the staff capacity.

“All educational institutions including schools, colleges and universities in the state will remain shut till January 31. Only administrative activities will be allowed in educational institutions with 50 per cent staff members at a time,” said an order from the West Bengal government.

The state government, on January 3, 2022, had shut all educational institutions in view of the surge in Covid cases across the state. All other offices were permitted to function with 50 per cent workforce.

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In a related development, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to reopen all schools, residential schools, hostels in the state from February 1 with 50% attendance after consulting with medical experts.