NEW DELHI, Dec 31: As India is inching towards mass immunization against Corona and the prime minister Narendra Modi advising caution to adhere to Covid precautions even after vaccination, several states have decided to reopen schools in the new year to resume a new-normal academic session.
While Modi gave a “new mantra” for the year 2021 “yes to medicine and yes to caution (dawai bhi aur kadaai bhi) and cautioned people against spreading Corona and vaccine – related unfounded rumours, states like Assam, Kerala and Karnataka have announced partial re-opening of schools from January 1.
While Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim have already reopened classes partially, Schools in Kerala, remained closed since the imposition of coronavirus lockdown in March, will reopen partially on January 1. The classes for 10th and 12th standards would begin with limited hours and restricted number of students.
Schools in Karnataka will also be reopening from January 1 for students of classes 6 to 12. The government has also planned to hold regular classes for PU-I year from January 15 and to start Vidyagama programme for students of classes six to nine in government schools.
In Assam, all schools and other educational institutions from elementary level to the university level will be reopened on January 1. Assam started reopening schools in a staggered manner since September. Many other states will reopen schools in January. Schools in Puducherry, Pune and Bihar will partially reopen from January 4.
Modi while speaking after laying the foundation stone of the long-awaited All India Institute of Medial Sciences in Rajkot, on Thursday said, “I appeal to the people of the country that fight against COVID-19 is the one against an unknown enemy. Be careful about such rumours and as responsible citizens refrain from forwarding messages on social media without checking.” He told the nation that the government was making all efforts to ensure that the vaccine reached all sections and called for support of the people to make the vaccination drive a success.
(Manas Dasgupta)
