Schools In Tamil Nadu To Remain Shut As Government Halts Reopening Plans

The Tamil Nadu government has reversed its earlier move to reopen schools from November 16 for classes 9-12. The decision to keep schools closed for now comes days after the state-wide consultations held with parents of private, government, and aided schools revealed a divided opinion on the reopening of schools amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Schools In Tamil Nadu To Remain Shut

On October 31, 2020, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced that schools and colleges in the state would be allowed to reopen from November 16. However, as reported by the Times of India, a section of parents expressed apprehension over the reopening of schools amidst rising coronavirus cases. DMK president MK Stalin even went on to call the government’s announcement a “hasty” one.

After consulting parents on the matter, the government decided to keep schools closed for now. The order released by the government reads, “The order on reopening schools from November 16 for classes 9-12 is cancelled. An announcement on reopening schools will be made later based on the situation." The government also clarified that colleges and varsities shall open on December 2 instead of November 16 for research scholars and final year postgraduate students pursuing science and technology degrees. "The opening of colleges for all other courses will be announced later,” it added.

Also Read: Schools Reopen Partially From Today: Parents And Students Remain In Two Minds

What You Should Know: 

• The Tamil Nadu government has reversed its earlier move to reopen schools from November 16 for classes 9-12 .
• An order released by the government said that "an announcement on reopening schools will be made later based on the situation."
• The government also clarified that colleges and varsities shall open on December 2 for research scholars and final year postgraduate students pursuing science and technology degrees.
• The decision was taken by TN state government after consultation with parents.

Reopening Of Schools In Other States

States governments across India have made their own policies regarding the reopening of schools. Schools in Andhra Pradesh reopened on November 2 amidst strict precautionary measures. The Maharashtra government has decided to reopen schools after a gap of seven months from November 23 for classes 9 to 12 under its ‘Mission Begin Again’. The Gujarat government, too, has decided to reopen higher secondary schools and colleges from November 23. In West Bengal, discussions regarding when to reopen schools are still going on between school forums and the state government. States like Telangana and Meghalaya are also holding consultations regarding the same. The former might reopen schools in December if "the situation remains favourable."

Also Read: Coronavirus: Schools to reopen in some states with masks and distancing measures

Almost all state governments have issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the reopening of schools. These SOPs include constant sanitisation, voluntary attendance, mandatory usage of sanitisers and masks, and following social distancing norms.

Image Credit: Wiki Commons

Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.