Coronavirus: No hasty decision, not reopening Karnataka schools, says education minister
During a Facebook live session, Karnataka education minister Suresh Kumar said that a decision has been made after consultation with government and private schools and keeping in mind parents' requests, schools will not reopen for the time being
FollowBengaluru: Karnataka education minister Suresh Kumar on Thursday (June 4) said the schools in the state will not reopen for the time being amid the rise of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and parents not willing to send their children to education institutions.
The minister held a Facebook live session and announced that schools will not reopen for the time being. Kumar said no hasty decision is being taken to reopen schools and this is purely based on the decision of the well-being of the children.
“The education ministry has made no hasty decision on reopening of schools and will not reopen schools now. We have decided to hold SSLC exams from June 25 to July 4. I received a lot of mixed reactions when the question of reopening of schools was posed. But many parents have requested not to reopen schools for the time being,” said Kumar on Facebook live.
Kumar said the decision was made after a meeting with all government aided and unaided private schools and opinions were sought regarding when to reopen schools for nursery and primary classes, higher primary classes and high school classes.
Also, discussions were held regarding conducting of classes by maintaining social distancing in schools during post-coronavirus days, and precautionary measures to be taken in schools.
Kumar on Wednesday had said opinions from parents and stakeholders were being sought on reopening of schools in the state, with the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown norms. He said the government would not take any hasty decisions regarding the reopening of schools.
"Opinions from parents and stakeholders are being sought regarding the opening of schools in our state. On June 10, 11, and 12, in all schools, parents' meetings will be held to this effect. So also regarding the way classes should be conducted in schools maintaining social distance," Kumar had said on social media.
Welcoming the debate about reopening of schools, the minister in a post on his Facebook page denied allegations that the government was bowing to the private lobby.
The Union government, in its recent guidelines, had asked state governments to hold consultations at school, college, training, and coaching institutions-level with parents and other stakeholders, and based on the feedback, a decision on re-opening them would be taken.
