Reopening of primary schools in Odisha: Minister clears air in state Assembly

Bhubaneswar: As children aged below 18 years have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 yet and they are likely to be infected the most in the impending third wave, no decision has been taken yet regarding reopening of primary schools in Odisha.

School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash informed this while replying to a question raised by Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik in the state Assembly today.

Replying to his another question on secondary school students’ attendance in offline classes, the Minister said as physical classes of Class 9, 10 and 12 students have resumed in the state after relaxation of lockdown restrictions, 26 districts recorded over 60 % turnout of Class 10 students. Besides, 28 districts recorded over 50 % attendance of Class 9 students.

Nayagarh district recorded highest 87 % and 89 % attendance of Class 9 and 10 students, respectively. In Class 12, Bargarh reported highest students’ attendance of 61.89 %.

On the other hand, Nabarangpur recorded lowest turnout of 45 % Class 9 students while Bhadrak saw lowest 54 % attendance of Class 10 students. Besides, Puri district registered lowest 35.17 % attendance of Class 12 students.