PANJIM: With COVID-19 cases surging in Goa, schools in the State are unlikely to open in August for the new academic year. As of now, schools are likely to re-open in September, after the Ganesh festival holidays.
Directorate of Education (DoE) has submitted a detailed proposal for re-opening of schools to the government based on guidelines issued by Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD).
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Newly appointed Education Director Santosh Amonkar ruled out possibility of reopening of schools in August in the wake of the current COVID crisis. “We were expecting that schools may reopen in August. But looking at the present circumstances, it does not look like it can happen. In fact, the situation does not favour re-opening,” he said.
He said that the department on Tuesday submitted a proposal to the government with a detailed timeline on re-opening of schools.
Sources said that considering the current situation, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant is not keen on opening schools in August, as there is no flattening of the COVID curve. “Also, there will be Ganesh festival holidays,” sources said.
While the guidelines issued by the Centre favour re-opening of schools for the academic year 2020-21 after August 15, the Ganesh Chaturthi festival will be celebrated from August 22.
Schools in Goa have been shut since March 15 following the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdowns. The MHRD in the latest directions has asked States not to allow educational institutions to open till July 31, until further orders.
