Schools In Himachal Pradesh To Remain Closed Till September 4 Says The State Govt

Himachal schools are not reopening their doors for children this month. The state government has decided to keep the schools closed till September 4, 2021. The state is yet not fully equipped to reopen physical classes, said the state's Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur.

This decision was taken during the cabinet meeting in Shimla in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the hill state. Earlier, the schools except the residential ones were ordered to stay shut till August 22.

As of Tuesday, the state reported 281 new coronavirus cases, 253 recoveries and 4 deaths in the last 24 hours. As per reports, a further announcement regarding the reopening date would be communicated in due course.

As per the official notice released earlier, extending the reopening of schools in the state, the government issued order briefing that teaching and non-teaching staff will be allowed to attend the school. However, the state government has decided to keep the residential schools shut while adhering to the coronavirus disease protocols laid down by the state education department. The order stated these schools found flouting the norms will be punishable as per law. More here.

The State Education Minister said that the decision taken is in the best interest of the students and other stakeholders.

In July, the state government had first allowed schools to function offline for classes 10 to 12 dating from August 2 onwards. At the time, both residential and partially residential schools were permitted to open again. Students of classes 5 to 8 were, however, allowed to visit schools for doubt clearance only. The gates were later closed till August 22 in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the state. Teaching and non-teaching staff could attend the school with 50 percent of the registered seating capacity. Now, Himachal Pradesh has as many as 2,663 active coronavirus cases and the reopening date has been deferred again.

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