Dispur awaits Centre's nod to reopen high schools from June

* Plans afoot to restart IX and X classes across SEBA-affiliated institutions from June

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government has approached the Centre seeking the latter's permission to reopen high schools in the State from June.

If the Centre gives its nod, the State Government will reopen the high schools affiliated to the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) only for Class IX and X students from the next month. Presently, schools, colleges, universities and all other educational institutions across the State have remained closed since the mid of March due to lockdown over coronavirus outbreak.

A source in the Education department said, "The Education department has found that reopening of high schools only for students of classes IX and X will not be a risky proposition provided the educational institutions follow all the safety protocols related to COVID. It will be easier to follow social distancing norms if students of only classes IX and X report for their lessons in their respective schools."

Sources, however, said the Education department has not taken any move to reopen the lower primary, upper primary schools and other classes as the number of COVID-19 positive cases is rising. The State Government will also not take any decision on its own in case of reopening of schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education and ICSE. "The Education department will wait for the Central Government guidelines," the source said.

On other hand, modified seating arrangements, changes in timings and further division of the classes into different sections could be among the key features in schools when they re-open amid the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing needs to be maintained not only during classes but also during their transportation like the school-bus services.