THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In consultation with the health department, an elaborate plan is being readied by the state general education department for the school reopening, education minister V Sivankutty said here on Sunday.
The minister, who called unfounded the rumours that the decision on school reopening was taken by the high-power committee headed by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan keeping the education department in dark, said, “All decisions were taken in consultation with the education department. Rumours claiming otherwise are baseless. It’s the chief minister who should announce the important decisions,” Sivankutty said.
The minister said a plan for the school reopening would be submitted to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan before October 15 for his clearance.
“Classes would be organized by ensuring the safety of children. The plan would suggest how classes can be organized safely. The government is committed to take into confidence all the stakeholders. Discussions will be held with teachers’ organizations and the worries of parents would be allayed,” he said.
Sivankutty said there was no point in the arguments that school reopening would intensify the spread of Covid-19. “Schools are not being opened to intensify the spread of virus. There were such concerns when the SSLC examination was held. But nothing wrong happened then,” the minister said.
The plan being readied by the education department would be a sort of protocol to be followed by the students and teachers in schools. It would also give instructions on the travel of students by school bus. The Covid-19 review meeting on Saturday had decided to reopen schools in Kerala on November 1.
As per the plan, classes for one to seventh and 10th to 12th standards would be reopened on November 1. Other school classes would begin by November 15.
