Will Schools Remain Shut Till End of 2020? Know State-Wise Decision On Reopening

The current wave of the infection has also forced states to rethink their decisions in reopening schools while most have decided to close the institutions till December.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: After the schools in India remained closed for almost eight months, some of the states including Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and a few others went ahead to reopen schools in a graded manner in line with the Centre’s guidelines that allowed states a flexible approach in reopening schools for Classes 9 to 12.  It was observed that the attendance in schools was muted, and not many students attended physical classes with states such as Haryana, Himachal and Uttarakhand forced to close the schools after coronavirus cases were witnessed among students and kids. Recently, the current wave of the infection has also forced states to rethink their decisions in opening schools while most have decided to close the institutions till December. Here's what states decision on reopening of schools Maharasthra: Maharashtra recorded 5,439 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 17,89,800 in the state.  In view of the spike in cases, municipal bodies in Mumbai, Thane and Pune have taken the decision to keep all schools within their respective districts shut till 31 December. However, schools across 22 districts in the state were allowed to reopen from Monday, as per the Hindustan Times report. Those in cities like Mumbai and Pune are still not permitted to open.  As per the the state government the schools were to resume for students of Classes XI to XII, but a large number of students on the first day of school gave it a miss due to the pandemic fear. Delhi: The national capital has remained the six worst-hit state in terms of infections, and continued to add the highest number of cases towards the country’s daily Covid-19 tally. Struck by the third wave of coronavirus, schools in Delhi, which remained shut since the lockdown in March are expected to stay closed till further orders. On October 30, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia has informed all government and private schools in Delhi will remain remain closed until further order. However, Sisodia has clarified on Tuesday that Delhi will remain closed till the vaccine is available. Sisodia, who is also the education minister of Delhi said, “Until we get some vaccine, schools (in Delhi) are not likely to open.” Karnataka: The Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee has recommended not to reopen schools in Karnataka in December. As per the advice from an expert committee, schools and PU colleges in Karnataka will remain shut till the end of December, as per the announcement by Chief Minster BS Yediyurappa. Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu has also postponed its earlier decision of reopening schools for Classes 9 to 12 from 16 November. The government will take the decision after taking the stock of the Covid-19 situation. Gujarat: Schools in the state were supposed to reopen for Classes 9 to 12 from 23 November, but the decision has been put on hold at the last minute. Hence schools and colleges will remain closed till order. Odisha: Like all other states which decided to reopen schools and then revoked its order in view of the worsening Covid-19 stuation, Odisha aksed schools to remain shut till 31 December. The decision was taken after consulting various stakeholders. Rajasthan: Schools in Rajasthan have been asked to remain shut till 30 November and a decision on this will be taken after reviewing the coronavirus situation end of this month. While the government made it clear that they had no plans to to open schools for students till classes VIII, for those in IX and XII teh decision will be taken later. As per the government order, a new programme called ‘Chalo G Se Paden’ (Let's study From Home) has been initiated, which shows that the administration is keen on letting students from home. What about states that reopened schools? Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam and Goa have reopened schools so far. Here is what the states have decided. Andhra Pradesh: In a week after Andhra Pradesh reopened schools for Classes 9 to 12 on 2 November, at least 575 students and 829 teachers tested positive for Covid-19 in the state. However, schools remained open in the state and students of Class 8 were expected to return to school from 23 November. Haryana: Schools in Haryana have been shut for 10 days till 30 November, after around 150 students across several government schools tested positive for coronavirus, barely two weeks after they were reopened for Classes 9 to 12. Himachal Pradesh: The state government revoked its decision to shut schools till 25 November, after around 216 school teachers and 86 students tested positive. Schools in the state were earlier reopened for Classes 9 to 12 from 2 November. The state cabinet has now decided that all state-run educational institutions will remain closed till December 31.