Tamil Nadu govt likely to reopen schools from September 1

The government of Tamil Nadu, after reviewing the Covid-19 situation across the state, is contemplating the reopening of schools for physical classes from September 1. The schools in Tamil Nadu have been conducting online classes for now.

Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, while talking about the reopening of schools, said, "Our CM has said that we can start schools on 1st September and for that, we need to derive Standard Operating Procedures."

Education minister Anbil claimed that the previous government had implied an SOP that would be reviewed to see if anything new should be added. The SOPs will be issued to each school and will have to be followed with due diligence.

The minister further said, "Our first focus is to protect students who are coming to schools. We are an ingredient to start with Classes 9 to 12. We are also hearing that the 3rd or 4th wave might hit, so we are concentrating on facing that as well. CM has said that we can start schools 1st only based on 'Medical Experts' opinion."

Importance laid on offline classes

Since the pandemic initially hit in March 2020, all schools in Tamil Nadu shifted to the online mode of education, which was not accessible by many. The school education minister also stated that there is a difference between sitting in online classes and going to school.

"Our Chief Minister's main focus is to make students go to school as then only they could focus well and concentrate in subjects which you can't expect from attending online classes," he said.

When asked if any prominent measures will be taken to tackle the next wave involving school students, such as keeping oxygen concentrators in close proximity, Anbil stated that initial discussion on the topic has already begun and finishing a detailed discussion and further information will be provided.