Schools reopening: Many states unsure, yet to decide in view of COVID-19 situation

While Central government has given a go-ahe for gred reopening of schools from October 15, many states including Delhi, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have decided against it while ors such as Haryana and Meghalaya are still unsure and are assessing situation in view of rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Universities and schools across country were ordered shut on March 16 to contain spre of vel coronavirus. On March 25, Centre anunced a nationwide lockdown. While several restrictions have been eased grually in different phases of 'unlock' since June 8, educational institutions continue to remain closed.

However, according to latest unlock guidelines, schools, colleges and or educational institutions outside COVID-19 containment zones can reopen after October 15. final decision on reopening institutions has been left with states and Union territories.

Delhi government has decided to maintain status quo on schools' closure till October 31 following which a review of situation will be done.

Uttar Presh government has anunced that schools outside containment zones will reopen from October 19 for students of classes 9 to 12.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, classes will be held in shifts and all necessary protocols including social distancing and proper sanitisation of premises will have to be followed by schools. Students will only be allowed to attend classes after furnishing written permission from ir parents or guardians.

Karnataka government has said it is in hurry to reopen schools and will take a call on issue after evaluating all aspects.

"Neir our government r Department of Education is rushing to open schools under any circumstances. health and safety of our children is very important to us," said Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar.

Chhattisgarh government has said schools in state will continue to remain closed till furr orders in view of pandemic.

Maharashtra government has said it will assess COVID-19 situation post-Diwali and till n schools will continue to remain closed.

"Schools will t reopen in Maharashtra till Diwali is over. After Diwali, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will assess situation before making any decision," Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said.

Gujarat government has also said it is likely to consider reopening schools only after Diwali Meghalaya government has sought feedback from parents before taking a final decision on reopening of schools in state.

According to Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, state government has decided that upper primary schools will be reopened only for clearing studies-related doubts of students of classes 6, 7, and 8, as is being done for secondary and higher secondary school students from October 15.

Puducherry government has anunced that students from gre 9 to 12 will have classes from October 8.

According to Puducherry's Director of Education Rudra Goud, classes would be held only for half a day on all six days in a week until furr orders.

While students of gres 9 and 11 will have classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, those in classes 10 and 12 will have m on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. attendance would t be compulsory and classes are meant for doubt clarification and guidance only.

While Haryana government is contemplating reopening schools for classes 6 to 9 to enable students to take guidance from teachers, final decision has been taken yet.

Andhra Presh government has also decided t to resume rmal classes till vember 2. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said a decision on reopening of schools will be taken only after mid-vember.

education ministry released guidelines last week for reopening of schools, including for thorough cleaning and disinfection of premises, flexibility in attendance, assessment for up to three weeks and ensuring a smooth transition from home-based schooling during coronavirus-induced lockdown to formal schooling.

It also asked states and Union territories to frame ir own standard operating procedures (SOPs) for health and safety precautions, based on ir local requirements.

India's COVID-19 tally of cases has raced past 70 lakh, 13 days after it h crossed 60-lakh mark, while number of people who have recuperated from disease has crossed 60 lakh, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.  national recovery rate stands at 86.17 per cent.

 COVID-19 caselo mounted to 70,53,806 with 74,383 infections being reported in a day, while  death toll climbed to 1,08,334 with 918 people succumbing to disease within a span of 24 hours,  data updated at 8 am showed.