Several states and union territories, including Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi, have announced closure of schools or suspended classes briefly till the COVID-19 situation is further reviewed in the wake of rising cases across the country.
Coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high since the outbreak of the pandemic with over one lakh new infections pushing the nationwide tally to 1,25,89,067, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
While a few states and union territories like Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu have announced closure of schools for an indefinite period, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab, among others, have suspended classes for a brief period. Schools have been directed to impart education through online classes in view of the situation.
The Delhi government had last week announced that no student will be called to school in the new academic session till further orders.
On Sunday, the national capital had recorded 4,033 coronavirus cases, the highest daily count this year, while the positivity rate rose to 4.64 per cent from 4.48 per cent a day ago, according to the Delhi health department.
The administration of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has announced that all schools for students up to class 9 will remain closed for two weeks from April 5.
In Maharashtra, which recorded 57,074 coronavirus cases, only students of classes 10 and 12, and candidates preparing for the MPSC exam will be allowed to carry out their regular academic activities.
While in Gujarat, school for students of classes 1 to 9 have been shut for an indefinite period, the Rajasthan government has also suspended school for the same classes from April 5 to 19.
In Madhya Pradesh, the government has decided to close all schools in the state up to class 8 till April 15, while in Tamil Nadu, schools in the state have been shut for classes 9, 10 and 11 from March 2 until further notice.
The union territory of Puducherry had asked all schools to close from March 22. The schools have only been closed for students of classes 1 to 8 while the lessons for higher classes are being conducted.
Schools across the country closed in March last year ahead of a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The schools remained closed for months and teaching and learning continued online. Several states started reopening schools partially in October last year.
Class 10 and 12 board exams which usually happen in February-March are scheduled to be conducted in May-June this year.
