No decision yet on Classes I to VIII opening: Minister

No decision yet on Classes I to VIII opening: Minister

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24.09.2021

In sign that the state government was not in a hurry to resume physical classes for primary and middle school students, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that no decision has been taken yet in this regard.

“Private schools have been requesting the government to allow resumption of physical classes for classes1 to  8. But there is Covid scare among parents. Hence, the resumption of classes is still at discussion stage,’’ he said during a meeting with private school representatives in Coimbatore organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Coimbatore chapter.

He said that the demand by private schools for resumption of classes would be conveyed to the chief minister. “Resuming school for classes 1 to 8 would depend on Covid situation,’’ he said. Poyyamozhi said that as and when the Covid situation is reviewed by the state government with health experts, a decision on resuming the classes would also be taken.

The education minister also underlined that schools should not compel students of classes 9 to12, for whom physical sessions have resumed, to attend schools.

Private school representatives who participated in the meeting submitted a memorandum to the minister on issues faced by school managements, which impacted students, parents and academicians. Some of the issues were difficulties faced in online schooling, inability to provide physical education for children, regulatory approvals including building tax and RTO related approvals. He assured that many of these issues are already in deliberation with senior officials as well as the chief minister.

Poyyamozhi urged government and private schools to function in tandem towards providing an equitable education to all students.