The Nagaland state government on Monday, April 19, 2021, ordered all schools to close including the residential ones amid rising coronavirus cases. However, this order is applicable only for Classes 1 to 8. However, the regular class shall continue like before for students of Class 9 to 12. Moreover, Class 10 and 12 state board exams shall be conducted as per the existing schedule, following strict COVID-19 norms.
The state government had decided to re-open schools for classes 6 and above from February 08, 2021. These schools had been closed before due to the nationwide lockdown to curb the virus spread. Moreover, schools for classes 1 to 5 had been re-opened on March 22, 2021.
Recently, the state witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases due to the second wave of COVID-19. As per the order issued by Chief Secretary J Alam, schools for classes 1 to 8 shall be closed immediately. Kindergarten or pre-primary classes in all schools shall also remain closed. These classes shall continue their curriculum through the online mode.
Alam further clarified that classes for standards 9 to 12 shall continue for now. Similarly, the current HSLC and HSSLC exams in the state shall be conducted as per the pre-decided schedule. However, all the COVID-19 norms prescribed by the state shall be in place during the examination.
The West Bengal state government also announced the closure of all schools, coaching institutes, and hostels from April 20, 2021. Moreover, summer vacation has been preponed and is scheduled to begin from May 07, 2021. Schools had already been ordered to close except for Class 10 and 12. However, the recent order has closed schools for these classes as well as teachers attending the school.
The state government is yet to take a call on the upcoming Class 10 and 12 state board exams. According to the state education department, the decision shall be taken keeping in mind the interests of students. The announcement shall be made subsequently at the appropriate time.
Various national-level entrance exams such as NEET-PG 2021 and JEE Main 2021 April cycle have also been postponed to a later date. Central boards such as CBSE and CISCE have cancelled the Class 10 board exams.
According to CISCE, Class 10 students shall be promoted to the next level based on an unbiased set of criteria. The board has appealed to its affiliated schools to begin the Class 11 admission. Class 12 board exams have also postponed and shall be scheduled when the conditions become conducive.
