For the first time since schools closed two years ago in the wake of COVID-19, they will become fully operational as in pre-pandemic times on Monday.
Schools had reopened in November last, but only partly, with restrictions such as batches and limited hours still in place. In the most recent third wave of the pandemic, schools closed for classes 1 to 9 on January 21 and reopened on February 14, but again with some curbs.
A week later now, all students in government, aided, and unaided schools following the State syllabus, nearly 47 lakh of them from class 1 to 12, will return to full-fledged schooling, from morning to evening. There are some 38 lakh students in classes 1 to 10, 7.5 lakh in higher secondary, and 66,000 vocational higher secondary students in State schools.
Along with them, nearly 1.9 lakh teachers, and 22,000 non-teaching staff will also return to school.
Schools were ready to resume full-fledged physical classes and there was no need for any apprehension, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty said on Sunday.
While hybrid learning – offline classes for half the days in a week supplemented by digital/online classes for the remaining – was followed earlier, the resumption of in-person learning every day of the week, and even Saturdays till the end of March, has prompted the government to give teachers the option to conduct online classes only if they wish to. Directions have been issued to give special attention through digital/online classes to differently abled students and those unable to attend school owing to illness.
Travel facilities will be arranged for students to reach school. Support of local self-government institutions too has been sought in taking up maintenance of buses.
Cleaning and disinfection of schools has been taken up ahead of reopening. All COVID-19 protocols as per safety guidelines issued from time to time will be followed. There will be no insistence on wearing uniforms. Attendance will also not be mandatory. However, teachers have been asked to track student attendance and ensure every child reaches school. Mid-day meals will be provided in schools.
The government has also reached out to teachers’ organisations to ensure their cooperation in school reopening.
While SSLC and Plus Two examinations had been announced some time ago, it has also been decided to conduct year-end examinations for classes 1 to 9 after their portions are completed by end of March. Portions for SSLC and Plus Two students will likely be completed by this month-end. Model examinations for these students will be held from March 16 to 21, before the public examinations begin by March-end.
The government decision is also applicable to CBSE and ICSE schools in the State.
