Karnataka primary School Reopening: Govt finally announced new date, check guidelines

Karnataka Government finally announced primary school classes 1 to 5 reopening date.  Schools will reopen for the students of classes 1 to 5 from 25 October, strictly adhering to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and SOPs issued by the Department of Primary and Secondary Education, the state government said on Monday.

However, a parental consent letter for physical classes is mandatory, the Karnataka government has said. Earlier today, Karnataka CM Bommai said, “Already the experts committee has given the report, we will issue the order. Regarding, from when (to start the classes) and all those details, the Chief Secretary will hold a meeting with the education department.”

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the chief minister had said that a decision on reopening schools for students from classes one to five will be taken. With COVID-19 cases declining, the government had reopened schools for students of classes 6 to 8 from September 6, and for students of classes 9 to 12 from August 23.

Earlier in the day, Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh said that the schools will be reopened for students of class 1 to 5 on the basis of the recommendation of the state’s Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19.

“If they say from October 21, we will start; if they say a week later, we will start a week later.” Noting that the government wants to start classes from one to five in one go, he said, “but our plan is to have half-a-day classes during the initial one week or so, and thereafter full day classes, once students get used to it,” he said.

The Minister, however, said no decision has been taken regarding reopening schools for LKG (Lower Kindergarten) and UKG (Upper Kindergarten) children. As per the guidelines issued by the government, a consent letter from the students’ parents will be mandatory for attending the physical classes. The guidelines also mention that classes will be resumed with 50 per cent capacity.

COVID-19 appropriate behaviour such as hand sanitization, maintaining physical distance etc must be followed, the guidelines added. Additionally, teachers and staff, who are fully vaccinated, will be allowed in Classes 1 to 5. Usage of face shields by teachers, who are above 50 years of age has also been made mandatory.

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This is the first-time classes for students from the primary section are being resumed in the state since the pandemic.

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