Delhi schools will remain closed until October 31, confirms the Education Minister, Manish Sisodia.The Ministry of Home Affairs has passed the orders for schools to reopen after October 15. However, educational institutions and state governments can choose to either reopen the schools or continue with online classes.
The Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has welcomed this decision of the Home Ministry and asked other parties to not make it a political issue as it may impact the precious time of the students negatively.
School re-opening statement released by Home Ministry
A few days ago, the Home Ministry has released unlock guidelines for schools. “For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after October 15, 2020, in a graded manner,” said the statement.
“The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions–Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged. Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so,” it added.
Reopening schools has been discussed for different dates
The Delhi Government has previously released an order to partially reopen schools by September 20.
“Students should not be called to school for any kind of activity till 20 September,” the government order said.
As per the Unlock 4.0 guidelines, all schools and educational institutes across India will remain closed till September 30 as precaution from Covid-19. However, students of classes 9 to 12 may visit schools outside containment zones with the written consent of parents or guardians if they need the guidance of any teacher or for some other work.
Schools can reopen for staff in non-containment zones as per the guidelines.
The Delhi government order makes it clear that students can go to school to seek the advice of teachers only from September 21 and with the written consent of parents if the student’s house is not in the containment zone. But it will be on a voluntary basis only.
Read: Reopening schools not compulsory on October 15: Home Ministry
Read: Unlock 5.0: Will schools be reopened from October 15? Check details here