Schools and colleges in India are likely to reopen only after August 15 if the situation is conducive, said Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal. “If the situation is conducive and the home ministry permits then we can open schools in August. The schools are likely to be reopened after August 15,” Pokhriyal told BBC Hindi in an interview.
He added that his ministry was trying its best to declare the results of all exams—both concluded and ongoing—by August 15, only after which schools and colleges would be reopened for the next session.
This means that students can expect the results of the yet to be concluded CBSE examination before August 15. The pending CBSE board exams will be held from July 1 to 15, while ICSE/ISC will conduct the exams from July 1 to 12.
Earlier, it was thought that schools and colleges would reopen in July with reduced attendance and with younger students till class 8 remaining at home. It was proposed to the ministry to open educational institutions in a staggered manner with green and orange zones opening first. The proposals had also pressed for maintaining strict social distancing norms and a smaller attendance in school.
However, with the coronavirus graph rising in India, it is now expected that the ministry has gone back on its plans on reopening schools by July.