Students only permitted to visit schools, regular class activities still not allowed: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 21, 2020

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said regular class activities for schools and other educational institutions are not allowed.

Sangma’s statement came after one of the schools in Shillong reportedly started taking regular classes on Monday.

A notification issued by the state’s education department on September 16, has permitted students to visit their schools from today, in areas outside the containment zone, on a voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers.

On the contrary, regular classes were allegedly carried out in the Gandhi Buniyadi Hindi High School at Pynthorumkhrah. This was witnessed and videographed by some journalists who visited the school.  

The government notification had also clearly stated that “regular” classroom activities in schools, colleges and other educational institutions would remain closed till September 30 across the state.

It however said schools will be permitted to open for activities, such as teacher-student counseling, clearing doubts, addressing hard spots, sharing unit lesson plans, assignments, submission of works, student assessment.

Asked, Sangma said that he would direct the authority concern to find out about the incident and take necessary action.

He reiterated that students are only being allowed to visit their schools but there is no question of any classes taking place.

Though other schools in the state capital have partially reopened, the number of students who visited their respective schools is however negligible.

On the other hand, Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said the government’s main concern is the health safety of the students in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and had accordingly issued a notification on this regard.

He however said that he is not aware that some schools have already started taking regular classes.

Asked if there is some kind of confusion among the school authorities, the minister however said this is an abnormal situation and confusion will be there.