COVID-19 Surge Amid Omicron: Which States Are Reopening Schools?

Which states are reopening schools and for which classes? Here is a list.

As the COVID-19 cases in the country decrease, several states have made relaxations in their COVID-19 protocols and have decided to reopen their schools.

But which states and UT are reopening schools and for which classes? Here is a list:

Delhi

Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi has twitted on Friday, 4 February, regrading the reopening of educational institutes in Delhi.

The following shall reopen from Monday, 7 February:

• Schools from Classes 9 to 12

• Colleges

• Universities

• Coaching classes

Classes from Nursery to 8, shall reopen in the offline mode from 14 February.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra has already reopened schools from 24 January, with some variations across the state regarding local protocols in certain districts.

Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, said on 29 January that schools will reopen in Pune and Nagpur district from 1 February.

The following classes will reopen in Maharashtra:

• Classes 1 to 8 (class timings will be halved)

• Classes 9 to 12 (full-day usual classes)

Tamil Nadu

As Tamil Nadu loosens various COVID-19 restrictions, the state on 27 January announced reopening of schools from 1 February.

• Classes 1 to 12 will reopen .

• Board examinations will be held as per schedule.

• Pre-KG, LKG, and playschools will remain closed.

• Colleges and universities will reopen except for those working as a COVID-19 centre.

Karnataka

The Karnataka government has not decided to reopen all educational institutions in the state.

However, the state government has decided to reopen schools in Bengaluru from 31 January, adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols.

The following classes will reopen:

• Classes from 1 to 9 (in Bengaluru Urban)

• Colleges

• Degree colleges

Haryana

Haryana has ordered to reopen all government and private schools for classes 10, 11, and 12 from 1 February.

Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar also affirmed that the state might soon reopen schools for classes 6-9 if everything goes well.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan has also recently said that the state is going to reopen schools.

The following classes will reopen:

• Class 10-12 (1 February)

• Class 6-9 (10 February)

However, the children shall have to submit a written consent form their parents and may even attend online classes.

West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has on Monday, 31 January, informed that educational institutes are to reopen in Bengal from 3 February.

The following educational institutes will reopen:

• Schools from Classes 8-12

• Colleges

• Universities

Madhya Pradesh

After reviewing the COVID situation in the state, Madhya Pradesh has decided to reopen schools from Tuesday, 1 February. However, the following regulations need to be followed:

• Schools will reopen for Classes 1-12.

• The class are to be conducted at 50 percent capacity.

Jharkhand

Jharkhand has reopened schools for classes 1-12, starting 1 February.

Even so, in view of the COVID-19 scenario, the following districts will reopen schools for classes 9-12 only:

• Ranchi

• Chatra

• East Singhbhum

• Deoghar

• Simdega

• Saraikela

• Bokaro

Tripura

From Monday, 31 January, Tripura reopened all:

• Schools

• Colleges

• Universities

Ratan Lal Nath, the Education Minister of Tripura on Tuesday, 1 February, said that this decision was made after a consultation with the education and health department, in view of the academic and mental health deterioration of the students.

Telangana

Telangana reopened schools from Tuesday, by adhering strictly to the central and state COVID guidelines.

Certain schools have decided to conduct the offline classes from 8 am to 1 pm.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh issued an order for reopening schools on Saturday, 5 February.

The following educational institutes shall reopen from Monday, 7 February:

• Schools from Classes 9-12

• Degree colleges

Kerala

Kerala will reopen schools in the following manner:

Classes 1-9 (from 14 February)

Classes 10-12 (from 7 February)

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has on Friday, 5 February, conveyed this decision after a meeting with the officials. It was further decided that the exams in the state, shall be conducted as per the schedule without any delay.

Odisha

Odisha has reopened the following educational institutes from 7 February:

• Schools from Classes 7 to12

• Colleges

• Polytechnics

• ITIs

• Universities

The hostels opened one day prior on Sunday, 6 February.

Bihar

Bihar has decided to reopen all educational institutes from 7 February in the following manner:

• Schools from Classes Nursery to 8 (50 percent capacity)

• Schools from Classes Nursery 9 to 12

• Colleges

• Universities

(Inputs from NDTV, Mint, and The Indian Express.)