PANAJI
The State government on Wednesday ordered closure up to Republic Day (January 26) of schools for physical classes across the State for students of classes VII to XII in the face of a huge surge in Covid-19 cases.
In a formal circular issued to principals and managements of all schools, the Director of Education Bhushan Savaikar, however, permitted the educational institutions to continue conducting lectures and classes online.
“As Covid-19 cases are rising in the State, it is decided by the competent authority that the educational institutions from Std VIII and XII will remain closed with immediate effect up to January 26,” Savaikar said in Wednesday’s circular.
Savaikar’ circular, however, said that the institutions are permitted to call students to the schools for vaccination.
“Students in the age group of 15 to 18 years of St IX to XII may be called in the school for vaccination purposes only by following Covid-19 appropriate behaviour,” the circular said, adding that lectures and classes will have to be conducted in online mode only.
Physical classes were restarted after a gap of more than a year first for students of classes IX to XII in October last year. Later in November, the education department had permitted physical classes to be conducted for students of classes VII and VIII as well.
