Odisha School Reopening: CM urges parents to encourage children to attend offline classes

Over 14 lakh students across the state attended physical classes on the first day of the reopening of educational institutions.

Odisha School Reopening: The government of Odisha allowed the reopening of schools for Classes 8 to 12, colleges and universities. The academic institutions in the state were shut on January 10 in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Considering the reopening of schools, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged parents to send their wards to schools.  

Reports suggest that over 14 lakh students across the state attended physical classes on the first day of the reopening of educational institutions. Stating that February 7 is a historic day as schools reopened in the state after a gap of nearly one month due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

Addressing students and guardians through a video message, the chief minister said, "Children will have no difficulty if they attend schools. They should abide by the guidelines, maintain social distance, wear masks and frequently wash hands."

The chief minister said it is the duty and responsibility of guardians to encourage their children to go to school and maintain COVID protocols. The minister appealed to students to not panic about the coronavirus infection and asked them to enjoy their time in schools. Reciting a Sanskrit shloka, 'Gurudeva Bhava', the CM urged teachers to help students make up for learning loss and ensure that children study what they could not in the last two years due to the closure of schools.

Expressing happiness towards school reopening, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged students to attend physical classes without any fear of COVID-19. He also advised children to wear masks and maintain physical distancing norms and asked parents and teachers to ensure that students follow the guidelines.

School managing committees also received directions from the Chief Minister to pay special attention to the safety of students. For students of kindergarten to class 7, schools will reopen on February 14.

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