Bhubaneswar: With rising COVID and Omicron cases, the Odisha government may reconsider its decision to resume physical classes for primary school students from January 3, Director of Medical Education & Training (DMET) Rama Raman Mohanty told the media on Wednesday.
While the daily COVID caseload crossed 200 after a gap of almost seven days, the Omicron tally in the state has touched nine.
“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.
This 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 next year.
Notably, parents and guardians had expressed apprehension over this decision and the safety of their wards in the absence of strict government mandates and monitoring at private schools.
“No school had obtained the NOC from the government, which was the condition to open schools, and hence it is doubtful if the schools will be able to ensure the COVID-19 safety measures diligently,” said a parent.
They were also of the opinion that the small kids may not fully follow the safety norms. “The new session is just three months away and the schools can be reopened thereafter,” said another parent.
The parents also questioned how the minister was confident of allowing physical classes for primary students when still doubtful about Class X exams.
Meanwhile, the Organisation of Parent Associations’ Forum has urged all parents not to send their kids of primary and pre-primary classes to school till the start of the new session. Children can be major carriers of the virus, it said.
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