Uttarakhand to reopen primary schools from September 21

According to an order issued by the department of school education on September 18, children will not be allowed to bring food to school.

Uttarakhand School Reopening: After remaining closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, primary schools in Uttarakhand will reopen for Classes 1-5 on September 21. Following COVID-19 protocols, the classes will be held only for three hours a day. According to an order issued by the department of school education on September 18, children will not be allowed to bring food to school. The order further stated that schools cannot force students to attend offline classes. The option of online education will also be available to students of these classes, the order said.

Considering the safety of students and staff member, the school administration have been asked to ensure proper sanitisation of the entire premises, including classrooms, offices, libraries and toilets. Meanwhile, the order has also directed the students and staff members to mandatorily wear masks and maintain physical distancing. A nodal officer will be appointed in each school to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocol and guidelines.

Meanwhile, amid the chaos of decision-making regarding reopening of schools and not, the Supreme Court has clarified that it will not interfere or direct states to reopen schools. The verdict came while responding to a petition filed by a Delhi-based student seeking directions for the phased reopening of physical schools. According to Live Law, the apex court received a plea seeking directions to the Centre and States to consider and take a time-bound decision with regard to the physical re-opening of schools and conduct of offline teaching. The official tweet posted by Live Law states, “Supreme Court refuses to entertain a PIL field by a Delhi-based student seeking directions for the phased reopening of physical schools. It is not a matter where judicial directions can be issued, observes the Court.”

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