Schools likely to reopen for students of class 9-12 in Rajasthan soon

Jaipur: A committee of cabinet ministers has finalized a report with recommendations on reopening schools in the state in the wake of a substantial decrease in the number of active Covid-19 cases. Sources said the committee has recommended that schools could be opened for students of Class 9-12 in the first phase. Schools for younger children will open in the second phase, according to the report.

The committee meeting was held at the state secretariat on Tuesday. The minister discussed the standard operation procedure (SOP) to be followed by the schools. The committee has submitted its report to the chief minister who will take the final call on the matter.

Sources said that the committee took into consideration the ICMR recommendations, SOP, and protocols being followed in other states before reaching a consensus on reopening schools for children of higher classes.

The meeting was chaired by health minister Dr Raghu Sharma. Other ministers who were present included Govind Singh Dotasara, Bhanwar Singh Bhati, and Dr Subhash Garg.

The committee also discussed the proposal for reopening colleges and universities. The final year examinations are undergoing currently. The admission process is also online. The home department is likely to issue a guideline on this in a few days.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot had set up the committee in the last week of July after education minister Govind Singh Dotasara kicked up a controversy when he announced that schools would reopen from August 1.