Aizawl: Mizoram's government on Monday decided to regularly reopen schools for students of classes 10-12 from October 16, officials said. The state government's decision to reopen schools has been taken in accordance with the Centre's 'Unlock 5' guidelines which allowed schools to reopen from October 15.
School Education Department Director James Lalrinchhana said the decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Education Minister Lalchhandama Ralte during the day, in which officials and representatives of the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), student bodies and other stakeholders. A new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which should be followed by all the authorities of schools and hostels besides students.
As per the guidelines, only those students who test negative for COVID-19 in rapid antigen tests will be allowed into hostels.
Earlier, Mizoram's government had partially reopened schools from September 21 for students of classes 9 to 12. During this initial phase of reopening of schools, only a handful of students were allowed to go to schools to clear their doubts.
The attendees of Monday's meet agreed to continue with the existing system for students of classes 9 to 12 and decided to hold the next deliberation before mid-November to decide on reopening primary to high schools. Meanwhile, discussions are on to extend the current academic session and the matter has been referred to a committee on the school academic calendar to take the final decision.
The Mizoram government had closed all educational institutions and training institutes since March 17 after the onset of the COVID-19 virus in the state. Mizoram reported nine new coronavirus cases on Monday, pushing its tally to 2,184.
36 people were discharged from Mizoram COVID-19 care centres during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 2,046. The state has 138 active coronavirus cases, and the recovery rate among the COVID-19 patients in the state stands at 93.68 percent, he said.