Extend closure of schools, colleges till May 15: GoM to Govt

On Tuesday, in the wake of nationwide lockdown to contain COVID-19 pandemic, a Group of Ministers (GoM) recommended extension of closures of all educational institutions. Moreover, they recommended restricting all religious activities till May 15. Led by Defence Minister Rajanth Singh, the meeting concluded that religious centres, educational institutions and shopping malls must not be permitted to resume normal functioning at least for four weeks from April 14. According to many sources, the government is likely to lift the nationwide lockdown in a staggered manner. The sources further indicated that schools and colleges would more or less remain shut till the end of June as the summer vacation will commence from the middle of May.

The Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' informed that the government would take a final call on reopening of schools and colleges on April 14 after appraising the coronavirus situation in the country. He further added that the safety of students and teachers was of extreme prominence to the government. Moreover, he asserted that his ministry was equipped to make sure there is no academic loss to students if educational institutions required to be closed after April 14.

The GoM also concisely deliberated probable circumstances after the end of the ongoing lockdown.  The GoM also suggested strategies to augment testing facilities for coronavirus infection in medical laboratories. For extending the lockdown, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao is among those who have pitched for it. According to the government, India registered 508 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.

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