After a long hiatus of about 20 months, schools have reopened in West Bengal on Tuesdays for classes 9-12th for physical classes. The state’s Education Minister Bratya Basu said that the classes for junior and middle school would continue in online mode for the time being. This came after the announcement made by the chief minister Mamta Banerjee that schools will reopen from 16th November if the Covid situation improves.
Attending the school offline would be a voluntary activity and no student would be forced to do so. There would be both online and offline mode of education.
There are strict protocols being followed for opening of the schools. No entry without masks, temperature checks and hand sanitisation at the entrance, only a few students in each class and no large gatherings in places like canteens. Students would be called in small batches.
Colleges and universities also opened on Tuesday. Vice Chancellor of Calcutta said that “All arrangements are being made for keeping the campuses clean and sanitised. Effective steps have been taken for ensuring double vaccination of the students. Public health imperative are paramount”
