Date of reopening of schools, colleges in Tamil Nadu likely to be deferred

The government, in its attempt to further relax lockdown norms, had announced that schools will be reopened for students of classes 9-12. Similarly, colleges and other educational institutions were also to be re-opened for this academic year.

A senior official from the School Education Department, seeking anonymity, said there are chances of the reopening dates being extended as School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan and Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan held meetings with Department authorities following public outrage. “In addition, at a high-level meeting involving authorities from both School Education and Higher Education, top officials were apprised that with less than two weeks left for the reopening, various activities including sanitising the buildings would not be completed during the period.”

Pointing out that the NE monsoon was expected to become very active over Tamil Nadu in a few days, the official said health experts expressed concern that students might catch viral infections which would create a panic with many confusing it with coronavirus. “Several issues that emerged during the high-level discussion have been sent to the government, which would take a decision soon,” he said.

Stating that thousands of students would be leaving for their native places during Deepavali, the official added that students and parents would hardly get 24 hours to return to school.

Tamil Nadu Teachers Association president PK Ilamaran also said that his forum wrote to the Education Department that schools should not be reopened unless total normalcy was restored to ensure the safety of the students.