Students of standard I-VII can attend physical classes in Odisha from February 28

Bhubaneswar: Though Odisha government had announced that schools for Class I to VII will reopen from February 14, today the government informed that the students can attend the physical classes from February 28.

In a letter to the different offices functioning under the S&ME and Higher Education, Principal Secretary of Departments of School and Mass Education,  Bishnupada Sethi stated that students from Class I to VII can attend online classes and are not required to go to school till February 27.

However, teachers will come to school and ensure thorough cleaning and sanitization of the school campus.

The decision has been taken after the reports of the District Collectors who requested for additional time to undertake cleaning, bush cutting, minor repairs and ensure clean environment to small school going children as the schools had remained closed for nearly two years. 

It further mentioned, the election process for panchayat raj institutions is going on. Most of the polling personnel engaged in the election consists of teaching and non-teaching staff of the department. Polling personnel are undergoing training and engaged in other election related works. 

Moreover, many school campuses will be used as polling stations where there will be heavy movement of polling personnel including police and general public including voters. This may create health hazards to the school going small children on account of Covid-19.