TN begins discussions on phased reopening of schools from Feb

A senior official from the School Education Department told DT Next that all the schools, especially government and aided schools, were ready to open any time. However, due to poor response from parents to its decision to reopen schools in November, the government, had to deferred it.

“Authorities have started consulting health experts on reopening schools. It is also suggested that along with colleges, classes could begin for high school students from February according to the situation,” he said.

There is a plan to hold one more session to collect feedback from parents about sending the children to school. “This feedback session will be held in schools on weekends so that all parents can participate,” he added. Besides parents, feedback would be obtained from teachers, including those from private schools, with regard to the portions completed during online session so that the government could release the truncated syllabus, especially for board exam students. Government teachers were also asked to inform about the portions covered for those students, who do not have access to smartphones, the official said.

The authorities have also decided to urge the Health Department to give priority to school students during COVID vaccination programme, he said. “Teachers will also be given importance,” the official added.

The government teachers have been asked to be ready to report for duty any time. Currently, teachers from elementary to the high secondary levels are regularly coming to school to sign attendance besides taking online classes for student,” he said.