Colleges in Karnataka to reopen on Nov. 17

Colleges in Karnataka to reopen on Nov. 17

24/10/2020

Staff Reporter Bengaluru

After a gap of seven months, degree, diploma, and engineering colleges in Karnataka will reopen for students on November 17.

However, barring practicals, where attendance will be compulsory, it is not mandatory for students to physically report to the classroom.

The decision to reopen colleges after Deepavali was taken on Friday at a meeting headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

Minister for Higher Education C.N. Ashwath Narayan, while making the announcement, reiterated that students will be given the option of continuing with their online classes. “Those willing to attend offline classes should register themselves and get written consent from parents,” he said.

The decision was taken keeping in mind the future of students and the UGC guidelines, said officials. The department will issue a comprehensive list of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on the modalities of resuming classes, including the number of batches that can be held in a day.

Each college will have to form a COVID-19 task force to ensure that the SOPs are adhered to.

“At the district level, a task force headed by the Deputy Commissioner will also be formed. Cooperation of various departments has been sought. Issues such as opening of government hostels have also been discussed,” Mr. Ashwath Narayan added.