Odisha Govt Clears Confusion: No Change In Decision To Reopen Primary Schools From Jan 3

Bhubaneswar: A day after reports emerged that the state government might reconsider its decision to reopen primary schools in Odisha from January 3, a senior official cleared the confusion and said that the decision will not be changed.

The decision of the state government to reopen primary schools from January 3 will remain unchanged, School and Mass Education Department Secretary Satyabrata Sahu told the Sambad.

The confusion arose after Director of Medical Education & Training (DMET) Rama Raman Mohanty told the media on Wednesday that with rising COVID and Omicron cases, the Odisha government may reconsider its decision to resume physical classes for primary school students from January 3.

“The government had decided to reopen schools taking into account the then prevailing situation. Odisha had not reported Omicron cases, neither was there an increase in daily infections. Cases are rising now. The decision might be revoked,” he said.

Mohanty’s statement came less than 12 hours after School & Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash announced that schools will reopen for Class I to VI from January 3.