Omicron Cases Rise : Education Minister B C Nagesh hints to close schools in karnataka

Omicron Cases Raised in country The Karnataka government may decide to close schools, stop exams if required, state education minister B C Nagesh said amid rising COVID cases among students.

“We will not backtrack if a need arises to stop exams and close schools. However, in the present situation, all the experts are of the opinion that there is no problem,” state Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh asserted on Monday.

Noting that the Karnataka government is closely monitoring the situation, the minister said that the government will make alternative arrangements with a view to avoid any problem. “If required we will stop exams. However, the Standard Operating Procedure is maintained very strictly in the exams because we make sitting arrangements maintaining physical distance,” B C Nagesh said.

“There is no need for people to panic because this year we started regular schools after a year of lockdown. In case close schools then it will be difficult to bring back children to the classes,” Nagesh said.  Assuring parents, he said education department will take stringent measures in case it is felt that the COVID-19 situation is going to impact children’s health.

A large number of students and staff of a medical college in Hubballi-Dharwad tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, pandemic clusters have emerged among students of residential schools in Bengaluru rural, Mysuru and Chikkamagaluru.

Also Read: Karnataka 2nd PUC Mid Term exam is final exam for 2021-22 Academic

Karnataka education department decided to conduct 2nd PUC Mid Term Exam 2021 on December 9 to December 23, 2021. The Pre-University Education department has recommended multiple changes in examination system. After Omicron hits in India, In Karnataka 2nd PUC Mid Term Exam may be a final exam for 2021-22 academic.

Exam will begin on December 9 and will end on December 23, 2021. The exam will be conducted in two sessions- morning session will be conducted from 9:30 am to 12.45 pm and afternoon session will be conducted from 2 pm to 5.15 pm, as per the revised schedule.

The exam papers would be conducted by Pre-University Education department. If omicron cases rise in state it is difficult to conduct 2nd PUC final exam. For this reason, the State Government and the Education Department have already taken many precautions.

Also Read: Omicron surge in India : This state issued new lockdown guidelines

This year Mid-term Examination is being held across the state at the time and the same way as the final exam. Once the final exam is impossible, the midterm exam score is likely to be finalized.