Only 25 Students Per Section: Education Minister On Reopening Of Schools In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With just two days left for reopening of Government-run schools for Class X and XII, the School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash has on Tuesday informed about the measures to be followed by schools along with the COVID-19 protocol.

The Minister said a maximum of 25 students per section per class will be allowed and the number of classes will be increased if the need arises. This is aimed at ensuring social distancing, he added.

Stressing on 100 days of classes, the Minister said the course syllabus has been reduced by 30 per cent and there will be no further reduction. Moreover, classes will be conducted on Sundays also to finish the course and only observation days will be holidays.

Sanitisation of classrooms would be carried prior to the reopening of schools. The Principal Secretary of the department had held a meeting with District Education Officers on Monday and discussed the measures to be followed, he added.

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A Nodal Officer has been engaged in each district and they will work  in coordination with their respective Collectors and DEOs. A meeting between DEOs and district collectors has been conducted to discuss the coordination measures.

With regard to the availability of teachers, the Minister said arrangements would be made to meet any staff shortage as classes for students of KG to IX are remain closed due to the pandemic.

About COVID-19 test of children attending school, the Minister said there is no decision yet on it but if there is any direction from Health department regarding it, we will get it done, he added.

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