The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has decided to reopen schools in a phased manner opening from September 1. From September 1 students of classes, 9 to 12 can attend physical classes, while physical classes for students of class 6 to class 8 will commence from September 8.
At the meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Friday, this decision was taken.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too earlier told that the government was considering reopening schools as early as possible but the final decision would be taken only after consulting all the stakeholders.
“There has been a mixed experience of states which have reopened schools. We have been monitoring the situation,” the Delhi CM had said.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on August 6, had asked the officials to set up an expert panel to deliberate the reopening of schools in the national Capital.
While in July and August many states opted to reopen schools but the expert panel suggested that Delhi should take more time and should reopen schools only in a phased manner starting from September.
According to the suggestion of the committee, the senior classes should be called to the school’s first, following the middle-level classes and the primary classes. A 50 per cent cap on the number of students to be present has also been suggested by the committee.
Addressing an important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/GzfB9Su9iq
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In February the schools were reopened but Delhi schools were closed in the wake of the second wave of the pandemic. However, the online classes will continue and parents will be able to opt for online classes. Parents consulted for reopening schools were also in favour of the reopening of physical classes.
The states are reopening schools amid the threat of a third wave of the pandemic as the government experts have assured that physical classes can be resumed in a staggered manner following all Covid-19 precautions as those aged below 18 are not at any greater risk of contracting the infection than other age groups.
Among states which have recently reopened school include Himachal Pradesh had to reverse the move after several students tested positive amid an overall Covid surge in the state.