Schools in four northeast states reopen partially today after six months

Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya have decided to allow students from classes 9 to 12 to attend classes voluntarily

Published on: Sep 21, 2020, 09:23:32 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

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Schools in four of the seven north-eastern states resumed partially on Monday after a six-month break because of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak while complying with all necessary safety protocols to keep the viral infection at bay.

The SOP states that students from classes 9 to 12 will come to schools, while all other classes will remain suspended. (Representational Photo/HT)

Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya have decided to allow students from classes 9 to 12 to attend classes voluntarily and along with written consent of parents.

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However, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have decided not to resume classes immediately.

“Our standard operating procedure (SOP) on resuming classes is meant for all categories of schools. Private schools have to decide when they want to resume their classes. The situation will be reviewed after 15 days taking into account all issues,” said Phanindra Jidung, director, secondary education, Assam.

The SOP states that students from classes 9 to 12 will come to schools, while all other classes will remain suspended. Class 9 and 12 students will attend classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. While Class 10 and 11 students will attend classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The guidelines issued by the four states are similar to the SOPs issued by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) on September 8.

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“Classes 9 to 12 students may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the containment zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers subject to written consent of their parents/guardians,” stated an order issued on Friday by Temjen Toy, chief secretary, Nagaland.

The Mizoram government, too, issued a similar order on Saturday.

The Meghalaya government has announced that students would be allowed to come to schools to clear their doubts with their teachers, but no regular classes would be held until September 30.

“Regular class activities for schools, colleges and educational institutions will continue to remain suspended until September 30,” said an order issued by DP Wahlang, principal secretary (education), Meghalaya.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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