UP School Reopening: Attendance not mandatory, shut schools if COVID situation worsen

UP state government reopened schools from August 16 for classes 9 to 12. The state will reopen schools for Classes six to eight from August 23 and for Classes one to five from September 1.

UP School Reopening: Amid the declining cases of the novel coronavirus, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to reopen schools for offline classes. However, on August 19, the government said that attendance for students will not be compulsory. The regions have been asked to close the schools again if the COVID situation worsens. While replying to a question by teacher constituency member Dhruv Kumar Tripathi, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma told this to the state legislative council. “In basic education, attendance is not compulsory. We have also not made attendance mandatory for classes from 9 to 12,” Sharma said.

He further added, “Guardians, teachers and political organisations have also said the offline education should be started even if it is for a shorter period. In UP, the present atmosphere is sufficiently secure but if there is any indication of any concern (regarding COVID), we can also close schools.”

Tripathi also enquired if the Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh has made any arrangement for vaccination of teachers and students below 18 years of age.

In a supplementary question, SP member Shatrudra Prakash inquired about the safety of little children attending school without vaccination. The minister replied that the vaccine for children below 18 is not yet available but it is expected to be available by September.

He further informed that a campaign will be arranged to inoculate children after the vaccine is available. UP state government reopened schools from August 16 for classes 9 to 12. The state will reopen schools for Classes six to eight from August 23 and for Classes one to five from September 1.

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