Covid-19 Resurgence: Major Announcement By Odisha Education Minister On Closure Of Schools

Bhubaneswar: The recent reports of Covid-19 cases across several educational institutions in Odisha including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has raised speculations over the continuation of physical classes for 9 and 11 which resumed last month after closure for almost a year due to the outbreak of the pandemic.

Clearing the air on the rumours amid the rising Covid-19 graph across the State, Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash on Monday said that schools will not be closed for the students of Class 9 and 11.

"Only the students of private educational institutions who have come to the State from outside hotspot destinations have been infected with the virus. No one from government schools or hotels in Odisha has tested positive for Covid-19 yet. Therefore, the decision regarding closing the schools have not been taken yet," said Samir Dash while extending Holi wishes to the people of the State.

"Moreover, the State government has ensured that government-aided schools are conducting classes by following all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The students of Class 9 and 11 will be attending their practice tests from March 30," added the S&ME Minister.

The Minister further stated that clear instructions have been issued to relevant officials to ensure that the SOPs issued by the State government to contain the Covid-19 outbreak are strictly followed in their respective educational institutions.

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It may be noted that the sudden surge in the number of Covid-19 positive cases especially at various educational institutes across Odisha has become have spread panic among the students and the staff.

As many as 10 students had tested positive for the Covid-19 at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Similarly, over 20 students had tested positive for the virus at Allen Institute following which Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) sealed the campus. Public entry into the campus has been restricted. All the patients have been put under quarantine.

The authorities at National Institute of Technology (NIT, Rourkela have restricted exit of any staff or students from the campus after four more tested positive for the virus yesterday. Total number of positive cases at the NIT climbed to seven as three others had tested positive earlier.

(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)