West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee made an announcement today, dated October 27, 2021, that the schools for classes 9 to 12 shall reopen on November 16, 2021. The CM also ordered the Chief Secretary to make the necessary arrangements for the same keeping the guidelines and SOPs in mind.
As per reports, this decision has been taken in an administrative review meeting that was held recently at Uttar Kanya, the branch secretariat of the state government in Siliguri in north Bengal. However, no official letter or order has been released by the state authorities.
Physical classes in West Bengal has been suspended last year in March 2020 amid the covid outbreak. However, since the pandemic is under control and cases are declining, this is the right time to resume classes. The schools were earlier proposed to resume classes on November 15 but owing to it being a holiday for Birsa Munda birth celebrations. Hence, the classes shall now commence from November 16.
The state machinery has decided to reopen schools only for higher classes and the students who are currently in lower classes up to standard 8th shall have to depend on the online classes. Meanwhile, plans are underway for the reopening of colleges in the upcoming days. It has been decided to re-open the educational institutes in a planned way keeping the current situation in mind.
This decision of opening the schools has been welcomed by students, doctors and teachers of the state as the pandemic has caused a dent in the whole education system. However, even though the cases are declining every day but that does not mean the pandemic is over. It is the duty of school authorities, students, parents and each one of us to stay protected said, one doctor.
Another school principal said, that schools are ready to resume the offline classes and they are willing to make the seating arrangements in small batches. Along with this, there are reports that the schools have been asked to make the seating arrangement for the classes in a way that is aligned with the basic SOPs and precautionary measures taken for the pandemic.
However, as of now, the schools are awaiting an official confirmation letter from the concerned authorities.
