Schools to partially reopen in Odisha from November 15

Bhubaneswar:  Schools in Odisha to partially reopen amidst the COVID-19 pandemic post Diwali.

As per the guidelines of Unlock 6.0 issued by Odisha Government today, all academic institutions will remain closed till November 30. However, classes from Class 9 to Class 12 in all schools under the School and Mass Education Department will reopen in a graded manner from November 15.

Notwithstanding closure of academic institutions, the followings will be permitted:

a. Conduct of examinations (academic, competitive and entrance tests), evaluation and other administrative activities.

b. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.

c. School and Mass Education Department/ Higher Education Department may permit teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools for online teaching/ tele-counselling and related work, in areas outside the Containment Zones only as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Education/ Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), GOI.

d. Higher Education Institutions will be permitted to open only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory, experimental work.

e. All training activities including skill and professional development

School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said the department Secretary has been asked to hold discussion with all stakeholders regarding preparation of SOP for reopening of schools in Odisha. The exact date for partial reopening of the schools will be declared soon.  A proposal has been given  to the Special Relief Commissioner in this regard, the Minister stated.

Worth mentioning, all schools in Odisha have remained closed for around eight months since March following outbreak of the deadly virus.

Earlier in Unlock 5.0, the Centre had left it to the states and union territories to decide on reopening of schools and coaching institutions after October 15 in a graded manner. However,  Odisha Government in its guidelines directed that schools, colleges and universities will continue to remain closed till till October 31.