Uttar Pradesh schools to reopen for classes 1 to 5 from September 1. Details here

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier this week asked officials to consider the reopening of schools for classes 1 to 5 from September 1 and for classes 6 to 8 from August 23.

The Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh has issued a slew of orders regarding the reopening of schools in the state, in view of the existing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) conditions. According to the new orders, students in standards 6 to 8 will be able to physically attend classes from August 23, while schools for classes 1 to 5 will reopen from September 1.

School classes for 9 to 12 had already begun in Uttar Pradesh from August 16. (File Photo)

Notably, classes for 9 to 12 had already begun in Uttar Pradesh from August 16, a day after the country celebrated the 75th Independence Day. However, the physical classes in schools are being held in two shifts with the 50 per cent attendance requirement, in line with the Covid-19 protocols. According to reports, the school administrations have also been directed to ensure adherence to all pandemic-related norms, including the maintaining of social distancing, use of hand sanitisers, masks, and the like. The government officials are also monitoring the situation closely for any potential violation of the Covid-19 protocols, according to reports.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier this week asked officials to consider the reopening of schools for classes 1 to 5 from September 1 and for classes 6 to 8 from August 23. The administration took the decision to reopen the schools in line with the chief minister's orders, according to a senior official cited by HT's sister publication Live Hindustan.

With the latest orders, schools in Uttar Pradesh will be reopening after nearly one and a half years. Schools had been shut in the state since earlier last year when the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) lockdown and related restrictions were first imposed. Several states, including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab, have already resumed physical classes for students while other states, such as Tamil Nadu, are set to resume primary school classes from the beginning of the next month, in strict adherence with Covid-19 protocols.