Academic restrictions to be withdrawn, regular classes for all to resume in Assam from 1 Jan

Dec. 14: After almost 10 months, normal functioning of all educational institutions will resume in Assam from 1 January, 2021. This was stated by Assam Education Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma while addressing a press conference at Janata Bhawan, Guwahati on Monday. Dr. Sarma further said, “Basically all schools and colleges will completely reopen in Assam from 1 January.”

The minister further said that detailed guidelines in this connection will be published by the Assam Education department very soon. He said, “From 1 January, all existing restrictions of holding classes once, twice or thrice a week will be lifted.” Himanta Biswa Sarma categorically stated that the present arrangement of conducting classes in a staggered manner due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic will be removed. That means, from the 1st day of the new year, all educational institutions will function in a similar way as during pre-COVID-19 times.

The minister, however, added a word of caution. Wearing of masks and maintaining social distance should be practiced by the students in the educational institutions. While replying to a query of a journalist, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that at present, the number of detection of Covid-19 positive patients has come down considerable. Only 25 to 30 positive cases are being registered per day in Kamrup Metro district. He added, “By and large, Assam registers around 100-150 cases on a daily basis and that too majority are those who have come to Assam from outside the state. So all academic restrictions will be withdrawn from 1 January, 2021.