Amid the on-going Omicron scare, the Odisha government on Tuesday decided to reopen classes for primary school students, from standard 1 to 5, from January 3, 2022.
School and Mass Education Minister Sameer Dash on Tuesday informed about the government decision, ending all speculations surrounding the resumption of physical mode of teaching in primary schools across the state, especially in the backdrop of an alert already sounded for a possible break of Covid 19 third wave early next year.
Dash said as per the directions of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik the government has decided to resume physical mode of teaching in about 27,000 schools in the State. However, in schools where the summative exam for class 10 students has been scheduled, the physical classes will resume from January 10, 2022.
“Since the Centre has decided to begin vaccination of children above 15 years, the State government is taking appropriate steps in this regard. As the students were out of schools for long, there is interest among them to attend classes in schools,” said Dash.
The Minister further informed that classes for 1 to 5 will be held between 9 am and 12 noon. All Covid-19 protocols will be strictly followed during the resumption of the primary classes. The SOP issued for the other classes in schools will also be applicable for the primary classes, he said.
“After considering all aspects including the threat of possible Omicron surge, the State government has decided to resume the physical mode teaching for the primary students,” said the Mass Education Minister. The midday meal programme will also start as per the existing protocol in all schools, the Minister added.