Karnataka school reopening to be reviewed on December 28-29

KEY STORY

• The decision to reopen schools for Classes 10 and 12 and Vidyagama programme for Grades 6-9 will be reviewed on December 28-29 based on developments over the new strain of Covid-19 virus, health, and medical education minister K Sudhakar said here on Wednesday.

• Primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar said the education department will follow the directions of the Technical Advisory Committee and health department.

• Earlier in the day, chief minister BS Yediyurappa said schools will reopen on January 1 and any change would be updated by the government.

• Amid this uncertainty, the education department is gearing up to welcome students on campus from January 1.

• Teachers have been advised to bring an RT-PCR Covid-19 negative certificate of a test done 72 hours before reopening.

  Sending kids to schools, not a must, parents can take a call’

• While children have to mandatorily use a mask, teachers above 55 years are advised to wear face shields as well. Measures will be taken to exempt teachers from Covid duty.

• Schools can get more teachers if there’s a faculty shortage but they would have to give a Covid negative certificate.

• In a meeting with district chief executive officers, deputy director of public instruction, and Block Education Officers on Wednesday, Suresh Kumar asked officials to be ready for reopening, just as they successfully conducted SSLC exams in July.

  “Attending school is not mandatory. It’s up to parents to decide,” he said.

• The money from school funds not utilised so far has to be used to purchase essential items like soaps, thermal scanners, and sanitisers. Schools can accept them from donors. Local bodies are responsible for sanitisation and cleanliness of campuses.

  “Last time, when the department said colleges can reopen, managements started preparations, spending thousands of rupees. But it was changed. If there are changes, the government must inform us in advance,” said Sashi Kumar D, secretary, Karnataka Association of Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools.