New academic session for schools from today amidst rise in COVID cases across Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The new academic session (2021-22) for all government schools starting from Classes I to XII will start from Thursday amidst rise in fresh cases of COVID-19 infection across the State.

As per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued earlier by the Education department, the schools will be reopened in a staggered manner. Classes will be held on every alternate day to prevent rush of students and maintain physical distance. Attendance will not be compulsory especially in the lower and upper primary schools for the first three months.

Till 2020, the academic session started from January 1. But all government and private schools were physically closed from March to November 1, 2020 due to outbreak of COVID-19 and consequent nationwide lockdown. Though online classes began in the government schools yet neither half-yearly nor annual examinations could be held on time. The schools were reopened from November 1, 2020 in a staggered manner and annual exams were held between February and March, 2021.

Under such circumstances, the State Government had decided to start the academic session for the year 2021-22 from April 1.

On the other hand, many parents and teachers are expressing fear over the commencement of the new academic session from Thursday due to the rise in fresh cases of COVID-19 infection.

On March 30, a total of 12,784 COVID tests were conducted in the State. Of these cases,53 positive cases were detected. In between March 1 to 22, 2021, the State has been recording 15 to 30 positive cases every day. On March 23, there were 52 positive cases followed by 41 on March 24, 40 on March 25, 40 on March 29 and 53 on March 30.

From March 31, 2020 to March 30, 2021, altogether 2, 18,363 persons have tested COVID-19 positive. The total COVID casualty so far is 1,104. Altogether 1,347 COVID-positive patients have so far died due to other reasons.

"Since the State Government has instructed us to start the new academic session from April 1, we are bound to reopen the schools. We will follow the COVID-safety protocols while conducting the classes," said a Head Master of an Upper Primary school in the city.

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