Bhubaneswar: Amidst bewilderment over for reopening of primary schools across Odisha from January 3 next year, State School & Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash cleared an air today.

"The Government's decision for reopening of primary schools will remain intact. The classes from 1-5 will reopen from January 3, 2022," informed Dash today.

However, in view of rise in Omicron cases in Odisha, the physical classes for the students from Class 1-5 is not mandatory.

"The nodal officers, BEOs and DEOs are reviewing the present situation in all the districts and blocks. The students, who are not willing to visit the schools due to Omicron scare, can attend the classes online. The annual examination will be held on time," he said.

The confusion over reopening of schools for the students from classes 1 to 5 had emerged after State DMET Rama Raman Mohanty on Wednesday had said that the decision may be revoked in view of the prevailing Omicron situation.

Also Read: Decision of reopening primary schools in Odisha may be revoked: DMET

On Tuesday, State Government had decided to reopen the primary schools from January 3 next year.