When will schools open? See what HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said

New Delhi: With the resumption of normal activities across the country after almost 70 days of lockdown, students are waiting for their pending exams as well as competitive exams after boards.

Home Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, while speaking to BBC, indicated that schools are likely to resume classes after August 15.

(Video Courtesy: BBC)

“Results of examinations will be declared by August 15. Only after that schools will be opened,” Pokhriyal told the correspondent.

It may be noted that few exams of board students were postponed in March due to Coronavirus outbreak and those pending papers are scheduled for next month. Most competitive exams like National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and others will also be conducted in July only.

What Centre said in Unlock 1 guidelines:

While announcing Unlock 1 on May 30, the Centre released guidelines for opening of schools, colleges, educational, coaching and training institutions.

“In Phase II, schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions etc., will be opened after consultations with States and UTs. State Governments/ UT administrations are being advised to hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July, 2020. MoHFW will prepare SOP for these institutions,” the order said.

‘Health of students is of prime concern’

Last month, while talking to teachers vie live webinar, the HRD minister had shared various preventive measures under consideration to ward off pandemic – like spaced seating arrangement, different timings for various classes and further division of classes.

On the question about reopening of schools, HRD Minister had said “the health of our students is our key concern. The schools will be open only once the situation caused due to coronavirus is normalised.”