Schools In Odisha Likely To Reopen In Jan, Priority To Class X & XII: Minister

Bhubaneswar: In another big announcement on the education front, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash on Thursday said there is a possibility of reopening of schools in Odisha from January next year. However, priority will be given to secondary and higher secondary schools, especially Class X and XII, he added.

If the schools reopen, classes will be conducted on all other holidays except festival holidays and the examinations will be conducted after 100 days of classroom teaching.

To reduce the pressure on students of Class X and XII, the study materials will also be provided to them soon after the Chief Minister unveils it.

To a question on the reopening of schools in December, Dash said the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in a notification had said the schools can be opened in the current month and left the decision on the SME Department. However, considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation, it is not possible do so this month, he pointed out.

Earlier in the day, the Higher Education Department had made an announcement for reopening of colleges.