West Bengal colleges, university campuses not to reopen immediately: Education Minister

The higher education institutions are closed in the state since the month of March due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus followed by the nationwide lockdown imposed in order to contain the pandemic spread.

West Bengal Colleges Re-opening: According to the latest reports, colleges and universities in West Bengal are not expected to re-open immediately. The higher education institutions are closed in the state since the month of March due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus followed by the nationwide lockdown imposed in order to contain the pandemic spread. After conducting a meeting with VCs, West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee revealed that the vice-chancellors urged the state government to allow institutions to conduct classes and exams of odd- semesters on online mode until March. The minister further added, “The VCs said since a month's time is left (for completion of exams) for odd-semesters (like 1, 3, 5, 7) let us continue with the online mode. The government agreed to their proposal. The varsities also communicated to the government about their inability to reopen hostels immediately due to the pandemic situation."

Chatterjee stated that the students, as well as the institutions, are getting used to the new normal, i.e. conducting the teaching-learning process online. However, the minister said that the laboratories will be kept ready for PhD researchers and will be given to them for use on a case-by-case basis. Considering the same, it is expected that the classes, as well as the University exams, will be held online. The minister further said, “The possibility of elections being held in April and the poll schedule clashing with semester classes and exams also figured in the discussion with the VCs. "They said a decision based on mutual discussion, considering all aspects, will be taken up by them. The government left the decision to them, saying students should not be inconvenienced." 

Talking further about the re-opening of the schools amid the ongoing pandemic circumstances, the minister said, “We will issue a specific notification about reopening of schools for higher classes at the appropriate time."

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