* No annual exams for students in classes VI, VII, IX & XII
* Decision to restart classes from I to V in December
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Schools, colleges and technical institutions will formally reopen from November 2.
Addressing a press conference at Janata Bhawan in Dispur on Saturday, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that formal physical imparting of lessons would be held for students studying from Classes VI to XII from November 2.
He added that classes will be held in two shifts: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1: 30 pm to 4:30 pm. The first 15 days will be devoted to orientation programmes to prepare the students, mentally and physically, to attend the classes after a gap of eight months. Attendance will not be mandatory. Students not wanting to report at schools will continue with their online classes from their homes.
Sarma, however, said that the schools will not conduct annual examinations for students studying in Classes VI, VII, IX & XII. These students will be promoted to their next classes in view of the current pandemic situation, he said, adding that his department would take the decision of reducing the syllabi for different standards in the next 15 days.
The Minister also said that while the government would take the decision on reopening of schools for the students studying in Classes I, II, III, IV and VI in the first week of December, the technical institutions and colleges will reopen from November 2. Colleges will be allowed to accommodate only 25 students in a particular section at a time. The hostels of technical institutes will remain closed till December.
Sarma further said that the authorities of the universities will take the decision of reopening of their institutes on their own.
"Private schools could also reopen. But the government will not interfere on private schools' decision. But these schools will have to follow all COVID-safety protocols as recommended by the State Government," Sarma said, adding that periodic COVID-19 tests will continue in the schools, colleges and technical institutes.