UP Schools to remain closed until February 15? No official confirmation yet

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government informed that the UP schools will remain shut until January 30, however, it has now been further extended.

Various reports circulating on the internet suggest that the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to close the schools further. According to the decision taken by the government, schools in Uttar Pradesh will remain closed until February 15 considering the rise in COVID-19, Omicron cases in the state. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government informed that the UP schools will remain shut until January 30, however, it has now been further extended. Meanwhile, an order issued by the additional chief secretary home Avanish Awasthi stating that the closure of schools has been extended from January 30 to February 15 is also making rounds on the internet. However, the UP government has not released any official confirmation regarding the further extension of the closure yet!

Reports suggest that Avanish Awasthi has directed schools to continue with online classes due to the upcoming UP board exams. Also, it is likely that the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) will conduct UP Class 10, 12 board exams 2022 after March 10 as the state will go to poll in seven phases from February 10 to March 7, 2022.

Meanwhile, there are reports that state that the letter circulating on various social media platforms under the name of the additional chief secretary home Avanish Awasthi is fake. As the letter has created confusion among students and parents, it is likely that the government would release an official notification denying or confirming the extension soon. 

According to an official statement, on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh reported 10,937 fresh coronavirus cases that pushed its active infection tally to 80,342, while 23 more fatalities raised the death toll to 23,106. The rising cases of the novel coronavirus raised alarms and made the government take a decision regarding the closure of schools and conduct of classes online. The decision has been taken considering the safety and health of students.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, more than 1600 parents signed a petition against the closure of schools. The parents have demanded school reopening in the National Capital. Considering the demands, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has posted a tweet stating that he agrees with the demand made in the petition. It is likely that DDMA would take a decision on school reopening in Delhi soon.

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