Rajasthan: Education department’s new guidelines to tackle rising Covid cases soon

JAIPUR: Following the rising number of Covid cases reported among students in private schools, the government has been forced to rethink its decision to reopen schools with full capacity and without the online option to hold classes.
Newly appointed education minister B D Kalla said on Wednesday that the government would release fresh guidelines in view of this development. “We will release the guidelines soon to tackle the situation. Discussions will be held with the health and home departments before taking a final decision.”
Around 19 students have been found positive in the state after schools started functioning with 100% capacity. In the last guidelines issued, the government had let the schools decide on holding classes physically or virtually. This resulted in a majority of schools opting for physical classes and the consequent rise in the number of infections.
Kana Ram, director of secondary education, Bikaner, said, “We have not prevented schools from holding online and offline modes simultaneously. It is between the parents and schools. A decision will be taken at the ministerial level.”
If sources are to be believed, the education department has given a suggestion to the government on schools having to hold online along with offline classes, giving parents the option to choose. A decision is expected to be announced by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a few days.