Our first priority is to sanitize the schools, colleges by 15 September, says MoS Bhavesh Kalita

August 29: Assam Government is yet to take a final call on the date of resuming classes in the schools and colleges. Although an order has already been issued for the teachers of schools, colleges, state universities & technical institutes to report to their respective institutions on and from 1 September, 2020.

However, in the backdrop of ongoing lockdown in Barak Valley, the teachers of the educational institutions over there were directed to report to their respective institutes with effect from 11 September. However, no final decision has been taken yet in regard to returning of students to their respective schools/ colleges. This was commented by the Chief Secretary of Assam, Kumar Sanjay Krishna.

On the sidelines of an event in Guwahati on Friday, Assam Minister of State for Education Bhabesh Kalita told the journalists that, “As the educational institutions were closed for a long period of 6 months, so our first priority will be to sanitize the schools & colleges from September 1 to 15. Our second priority is to ensure the social distancing by arranging the seats by following the protocol measures. If everything goes on as per our plan and programme, then classes may be resumed after 15 September.”

He stressed on the fact that ensuring safety measures in the educational institutions of the state is of topmost priority before students return to their classes. The statement of the MoS can lead to infer that classes would not be resumed in schools of Assam till 15 September.

Meanwhile, the state government has directed the teachers and staff of the educational institutions to do RT-PCR test from August 21 to 30. However, for the employees of schools & colleges in Barak Valley, the last date of getting themselves tested has been extended till 10 September. Following this, they are to report back to their respective workplaces from 1 September (11 September for teachers of Barak Valley).