November 24, 2020.
TED NewsDesk, Bengaluru: With a new wave of COVID-19 cases being reported across India, it is becoming difficult to keep open educational institutions. Under the present circumstances, experts have suggested to not open schools, especially in the state of Karnataka where the cases are on a steep rise, said CM BS Yediyurappa. He added that there would be no Senior School Leaving Certificate (Class 10) and Pre University Exam as the government will take appropriate decisions concerning the situation.
“Experts have opined that we should not take any decision till December end. We will meet again and take an appropriate decision at the time concerning the situation. We should not start SSLC (Class 10) and Pre University Exam until then,” said Yediyurappa. Meanwhile, the Technical Advisory Committee for COVID-19 has recommended the Karnataka government not to reopen schools in December.
“After extensive deliberations, it was unanimously resolved not to reopen schools in December,” said the Technical Advisory Committee, Karnataka in a statement. However, the COVID-19 situation in Karnataka shall be reviewed in the last week of December to consider the reopening of schools at an appropriate time accordingly, emphasised the Committee. During the meeting held on Sunday, Dr M K Sudarshan, TAC, Chairperson informed the members that the state is considering reopening of the schools very soon. “The TAC in its 40th (October 8) and 49th (November 9) meetings had deliberated extensively on this subject. It was then decided to postpone the re-opening of the schools after reviewing the COVID-19 scenario in the state subsequently. In the meanwhile, from November 17 colleges have been reopened, but the attendance of students is very poor.”
Plans are underway for medical and paramedical colleges in the state to reopen from December 1. However, the impact of reopening of the colleges will be known in the coming days, Sudarshan said. Karnataka has reported 24,887 active COVID-19 cases, 8,36,505 recoveries and 11,654 fatalities, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday. (ANI)
Given the alarming situation in the state as well as various parts of India, it is a very beneficial decision for students, faculty members and non-teaching staff in educational institutions which do not have to risk their health for education. In light of the hopeful future because of the Oxford vaccine, one can indeed look forward to better days in 2021 sans restrictions and health risks.
Source: Business World