State-wise status of schools reopening across India

With the number of Covid-19 cases declining, many states are planning to gradually reopen schools and universities across the country. Educational institutes in the country have been closed for a long time. While many states like Punjab have already reopened schools, others are considering starting offline classes in mid-August. Here is a list of state decisions regarding reopening schools:

Maharashtra

Maharashtra has announced the reopening of physical classes in schools in both rural and urban areas from 17 August. Schools across the state have been closed since March last year when the coronavirus pandemic hit and classes have been taught online.

“Offline classes will start in rural areas for students in classes 5 to 8, while those in cities will be for students in classes 8 to 12 following Covid-19 protocols,” Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said. The minister added, however, that on-campus classes will only be allowed in areas where Covid-19 infections are consistently low.

Meghalaya

Education Minister Lahkemin Rymbui said Meghalaya is seeking to reopen educational institutions after mid-August. Rymbui said it is essential to resume classroom teaching as soon as possible, especially in higher education institutes. “Nearly 50 percent of students eligible to benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine have been vaccinated. This is expected to increase in mid-August.

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Delhi

Deputy Prime Minister Manish Sisodhia in a meeting with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has decided to form a panel of experts to assess the issue of reopening schools in the national capital.

On Sunday, the DDMA stated that “students in grades 10 through 12 can visit their schools for work related to admissions, including counseling/guidance and practical activities related to board exams.” He also stated that medical examinations and referral services from schools can resume so that children of all ages can visit with their parents.

Karnataka

The Karnataka State Government has decided to resume offline classes for students in grades 9 and 10, and for pre-university students (equivalent to classes 11 and 12) from August 23. The decision was made at a high-level panel meeting convened by Prime Minister Pasafraj Bommai.

We have decided to reopen schools in two phases. In the first phase, classes (offline) for students in the 9th and 10th grades and at PU will start from August 23, subject to the terms. “Students will be categorized into two groups and classes will be held on alternate days,” Bommai said.

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Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the reopening of schools for middle school students from August 16, 2021, with a capacity of 50 percent. Besides, it has also been instructed to start studying in institutes of higher education from September 1, the UP government said in a statement.

Odisha

Odisha schools reopened to students in grades 10 and 12 on July 26 after a break of more than three months. Department officials said the state government also plans to reopen schools for classes 9 and 11 starting August 16 and September 15, respectively.

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh will reopen schools from August 16 and the government plans to start schools as per the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) by introducing six types of schools, from Pre-Primary (PP)-1 to Class 12, authorities said on Monday. Prime Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered the officials to complete the process of modernizing the schools as per the NEP system by August 16.

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has announced the reopening of schools for students in grades 9 to 12 with a capacity of 50% in a time after standard operating procedures on September 1st. The School Education Department has been directed to make the necessary arrangements. Earlier this week, teachers from government-sponsored and government-funded schools returned to work.

West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her government is studying options to reopen schools and universities on alternate days after the Durga Puja holiday in November. Educational institutions in the state have been closed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in March last year. “However, nothing has been finalized yet,” Banerjee told reporters this week.

Jammu and Kashmir

All schools and higher education institutions, including training centers, will remain closed for on-site/in-person teaching, until further orders. However, educational institutions may require personal assistance from staff/students who have been vaccinated for administrative purposes and Independence Day celebrations which are subject to the 25th limit and strict adherence to appropriate Covid behavior, Senior Secretary A K Mehta said.