Union Ministry of Education has issued new modified guidelines on the reopening of educational institutions in different parts of the country. Now, Centre has allowed states to decide if parental consent is needed by school students to attend physical classes.
The new guidelines also focused on the smooth transition from online to classroom classes by preparing bridge courses, focusing on students who need extra interventions, ensuring that every student reads books beyond those in the syllabus.
Under the previous set of guidelines issued on 5th Oct 2020, by Health Ministry, the states and UTs had to mandatorily take the consent of parents or guardians. States and Union territories have been asked to add these modified guidelines in the existing school Sops (standard operating procedures) for the reopening of schools.
State-wise updates on school reopening
Delhi: Schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain closed until further notice. Decision on reopening schools is expected in the next DDMA meeting.
West Bengal: Chief Minister on Monday announced that schools for classes 10 to 12 and colleges in the state will reopen from February 3, following Covid-19 SOPs.
Madhya Pradesh: State govt. allowed reopening of schools for physical classes from February 1, with 50% capacity. This was done after consultation with medical experts.
Bengaluru: Schools, colleges have been allowed to reopen from Monday with the strict implementation of Covid-19 protocol.
Tamil Nadu: Schools for classes 1-12, colleges and universities reopened from February 1. Play schools, LKG and UKG classes will remain closed.
Maharashtra: Schools and colleges in Pune district reopened from February 1. In other parts of the state, schools for pre-primary to Class 12 students reopened last week.
Rajasthan: Schools were reopened for classes 10-12 students from February 1. For classes 6 to 9, schools will reopen from February 10.
Telangana: All government, private schools, colleges resumed physical classes from February 1. The government had earlier directed all educational institutions to be closed till January 30.
Uttar Pradesh: Government has extended the closure of schools and colleges in the state till February 6. In the previous order, the government said educational institutions will remain closed till January 30.
Haryana: Schools for Classes 10, 11 and 12 reopened from February 1.
Tripura: Schools have reopened from Monday for pre-primary to Class 12.
Uttarakhand: Government has now allowed the schools to reopen for Classes 10-12.