Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday after the meeting with officials from the Primary and Secondary Education, Social Welfare, Health and Family Welfare Department in Bengaluru gave his nod for the reopening of schools across the state for classes 10 and 12 from January 1, 2021.
The Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee had previously expressed an opinion in favor of the reopening of schools.
Currently, schools will reopen for children preparing for the board exams, and later after reassessment the schedule for lower grades would be decided upon.
The Vidyagama programme for classes 6 to 9, and hold classes on the premises of the schools. However, it is not mandatory for students to come to schools. Those who wish to attend the classes at schools must obtain a consent letter from parents.
Minister Suresh Kumar clarified that the relaunch of Vidyagama “does not mean schools are being reopened.” He highlighted, “Such small sessions are made available for students to ensure that we reach out to children from all sections from across the state.”
Students will be allowed to come to schools for half a day with parental consent. Following Covid-19 guidelines including wearing a mask, sanitising hands frequently, and being subjected to thermal scanning will be followed at all schools. Any student with fever, cough, cold and other symptoms of Covid-19 will not be allowed.
students will be advised to bring drinking water from home. Arrangements to wash hands with soap and sanitiser should also be made at schools before allowing the students in. Timetables will be set with three classes of 45 minutes each.