HT Correspondent

Dimapur, April 19: The Nagaland Government on Monday ordered closure of all schools in the state, including the residential schools, for students of Class 1 to Class 8 with immediate effect till further order.

However, the ongoing HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2021 will continue with strict observance of all the provisions of the SOPs issued on March 12.

In an order, chief secretary J Aalam said this was decided in view of the steep rise in Covid-19 cases in the country and the urgent need for taking measures to prevent spread of the pandemic in the state.

The order said the kindergarten/pre-primary classes in all the schools in the state will also continue to remain closed.

It said the schools may continue imparting teaching through online mode for all the classes and carrying out other activities with strict adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviours and other necessary measures as they were doing before opening regular/physical classes.

The conduct of regular classes for students of Class 9 to Class 12 will continue for now, subject to strict adherence to all the provisions of the SOP issued by the government in February.

Alam said the order of March 16 for re-opening of schools for classes I to V standard superseded with today’s order. He said the office orders of February 1 and March 12 for re-opening of schools for class VI and above and residential schools respectively stand partially modified till further order.