The Karnataka state government is likely to defer the reopening of schools to December. According to senior officials, due to a high number of Covid-19 infections among teachers and students in Andhra, which reopened schools on November 2, has prompted the Karnataka state government to adopt a wait-and-watch approach.

Objections raised by Congress and JD(S) and apprehensions among a section of parents have also influenced the government’s thinking. 

A senior official from the department of public instruction (DPI) said, “These factors have made the government do a rethink. It will see how the situation unfolds in other states before reopening schools in Karnataka. In all likelihood, schools will remain shut till December 1.”

Education officials on Saturday, November 7, 2020, completed consultations on the issue with stakeholders such as teachers’ associations, parents and school development and monitoring committees.

DPI will now prepare a report incorporating the stakeholders’ suggestions and submit it to chief minister BS Yediyurappa. The CM is likely to make an announcement by next weekend.

Source: Times of India

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