MP Schools will not reopen on July 1 (representational)
School reopening in Madhya Pradesh: Schools in Madhya Pradesh will not open from July 1, the government decided on Monday. The schools were scheduled to open after summer vacations but the state government will take a decision in this regard after consultation with the Centre, other states and experts, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday.
Chairing a meeting on the recommendations of ministers to prepare a strategy to fight COVID-19, Mr Chouhan said studies will continue through online mode and television broadcasts. Medical Education Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang, Higher Education Minister Mohan Yadav, and School Education Minister Indersingh Parmar were present in the meeting.
Vaccinating teachers and school staff on priority and holding training programmes on pandemic management are among measures suggested by the ministers.
"Schools will not reopen in the state from July 1. Studies will continue through online platforms and TV broadcasts. The decision on opening schools will be taken after discussing with the Centre, other states and experts," the CM said.
The admission process for graduation and post-graduation courses will be held in August, while the new session will begin from September, officials told PTI.
They said the CM had directed that before the start of educational activities in colleges and universities, all students above the age of 18 must be vaccinated against COVID-19, and entry into the premises must be given only to those who have been inoculated.
On June 23, a group of ministers met to discuss resumption of schools and colleges. However, it has now been decided that physical teaching learning activities will not resume from July 1.
Mr Chauhan today also announced the promotion criteria that the state education board will be using for Class 12 students.
“Class 12 marks will be determined on the basis of best of five marks obtained in various subjects of Class 10, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, according to the education department.
While most of the states are yet to decide on reopening of schools, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana have taken steps in this regard. In Telangana, Physical classes will resume on July 1.
The Karnataka government will reopen colleges and universities, after vaccinating teachers, staff members and eligible students.
Educational institutions in Bihar will reopen after July 6, reports The Hindu.
Availability of Covid vaccines for kids will pave the way for reopening schools, AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria recently told PTI.
Underscoring that there has been a major loss in studies in the last one-and-half years on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AIIMS chief said, "Schools have to be reopened and vaccination can play an important role in that."