The Odisha government on Thursday decided to reopen educational institutions in the state for students from Class 8 and above from February 7, 2022. Likewise, the physical or offline classes for students of KG to Class 7 will re-open from February 14,” said Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra.

Reasons for reopening educational institutions

Addressing a presser, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said, “The educational institutions were shut earlier due to the third wave of the Covid-19 variant Omicron. However, with the Covid situation improving in the state, as we have seen, unlike the first wave and second wave, there were fewer cases of hospitalisation during the third wave.”

“Similarly, the daily positivity rate has also come down. We have vaccinated a large number of teenagers between 15 to 18 years in the ongoing inoculation drive. Considering demands from various quarters to reopen educational institutions, the crucial decision has been taken,” he explained further.

Summer vacation can be decreased if need arises

The schools and colleges have also been directed to conduct bridge courses and short-term courses to make up for the loss of study of students during the past two years.

The institutions can also decrease the summer vacation period if the need arises, added the Chief Secretary.

Basis of class promotion

“Class promotion of students from KG up to Class 9 will be done on the basis of classroom assessment marks whereas students of Class 10 and 12 will appear for an exam conducted by the concerned board and council as per their guidelines,” he said.

Colleges to reopen from February 7

Colleges and technical institutes will reopen from February 7. Short-term training and skill development training centres will also reopen on this day and so also hostels associated with the educational institutions and training centres.

Guidelines for physical classes

The physical classes will be conducted with strict adherence to Covid protocols.

All departments linked with education – School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Skill Development and Technical Education, and others, have been asked to issue guidelines and SOPs for reopening the institutions under their respective jurisdictions, said Mahapatra.

Current Covid-19 situation in the state

The Test Positivity Rate (TPR) for the day stood at 5.44% whereas, as many as 3629 persons tested positive for Covid-19 in Odisha during the last 24 hours.