Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided not to reopen schools in the State till December 31, 2020 in view of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic situation.
In a notification issued on Friday evening, the School and Mass Education Department informed that all schools in the State shall remain closed till the above mentioned period in view of a second wave of Covid-19 infection being experienced in some States.
The government has mentioned that the decision has been taken after holding extensive consultations with various stakeholders.
However, there are some exceptions in the order. Accordingly, conduct of examinations, evaluation and other administrative activities will be permitted during the period.
Similarly, online learning shall continue and be encouraged. Teaching and non teaching staff may be called to schools for online teaching, tele-councelling and related work, the notification states.
The State government had earlier announced that classes for students of IX to XII will resume in November for which the guidelines and necessary SOPs were being prepared by the School and Mass Education Department.
However, earlier in the day, the School and Mass Education minister Sameer Dash had stated that the decision to reopen schools in November has been put on hold.
"There is a possibility of a Covid-19 second wave in the State next month. So we have decided that as of now schools will not reopen. They will continue to be closed," the minister had stated.
(Edited By: Suryakant Jena)