Schools, colleges, coaching institutes in Delhi will reopen on September 1: Manish Sisodia
Educational institutes in Delhi, according to Sisodia, would reopen in full compliance with COVID-19 norms.
NEW DELHI — The Delhi administration has decided to resume offline classes for students in grades 9 through 12, as well as colleges and educational institutions, beginning September 1, according to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
According to Sisodia, educational institutes in Delhi would reopen in complete conformity with COVID-19 guidelines.
Gradual reopening of educational institutions on cards
On Friday, Sisodia said that it has been agreed to gradually reopen schools, colleges, and coaching institutions in Delhi, taking all necessary measures.
Classes for grades 9-12 in all schools, their coaching classes, and all colleges/universities will be allowed to resume on September 1.
Students will not be obliged to attend offline lessons, according to Sisodia, and consent from parents would be required for students to attend school.
‘COVID-19 SOPs to be strictly followed’
Sisodia added that social distancing must be strictly adhered to, and no student will be forced to attend school. Students would not be forced to come if their parents refuse, and they will not be termed absent, the Delhi Deputy CM stressed.
He also stated that the decision to reopen schools for lower grades would be made after an analysis of the impact of reopening schools for senior grades.
PTI reported that Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Sisodia attended a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to talk about the issue of reopening schools in Delhi.
Due to a statewide lockdown, Delhi schools have been closed since March 2020. In August, the Delhi government announced the formation of an expert committee to decide whether or not to reopen schools due to a drop in COVID-19 cases.
‘After complete vaccination of adults, schools should reopen’
Dr. NK Arora, chairman of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (NTAGI) working group, said on Wednesday (August 25) that schools should be reopened for all students as soon as adults around them have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Mr Arora was quoted by ANI as having observed that primary, secondary, and higher education institutions should all be reopened. As per him, primary schools have children under the age of 10, and they are the least affected with the virus.
However, by vaccinating all adults in their environment, a safe environment may be created, Arora noted.
