Karnataka Schools For Classes 6 To 8 To Reopen From February 22

The Karnataka State government has ordered the reopening of schools for Classes 6 to 8 from 22 February 2021 for students. The schools were shut for over 10 months after the imposition of the lockdown.

According to Karnataka Education Minister Suryanarayana Suresh Kumar, the schools are reopening all across Karnataka, except Bengaluru district and neighbouring Kerala border where only Class 8 students are allowed to attend the physical classes.

However, the state's ministry has issued COVID-19 guidelines for the schools to follow strictly. The students coming from the Karnataka-Kerala border will have to present a COVID-19 negative certificate to attend the classes from 22 February 2021 for the safety of staff and other students.

Due to a sudden spike in coronavirus cases in Bengaluru and a rise in infections in bordering Kerala state, the technical advisory committee advised starting regular classes only for Grades 6 to 10.

The State government has already resumed regular classes for students of classes 10 and 12 from February 1 in view of upcoming board exams. However, the Karnataka government is yet to decide on the reopening of schools for classes 1 to 5.

The Schools have been directed to strictly follow social distancing protocols inside the school premises to be safe from the virus.