In a bid to normalise academic activity in the state, the Gujarat government has decided to restart offline classes from grade 6 to 8 from February 18.
The decision comes at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases in Gujarat are on the decline. In the last 24 hours that ended on Friday at 5pm, the state recorded 268 cases, taking the total number of cases to 2,64,718. With one death, the total number of mortality reached 4,400 mark. So far, 2,58,551 patients have been discharged in the state after treatment.
Health Secretary Vinod Rao told THE WEEK that the schools, staff and the students would have to follow the SOPs laid down by the Health Ministry and the state government.
Offline education that was closed in the state since end of March 2020 due to COVID-19 has been restarted in a phased manner.
The state government first began offline classes for grade 10 and 12 and final year graduation. It later began classes for the college and grade 9 and 11.
Attending offline classes is optional for the students and they would have to get a letter from parents. Online classes will also continue.
Rao said that since only classes from grade 6 to 8 are being started, the schools will have spare classes to follow the SOPs.
