Extending the closure period of schools and colleges, the Himachal cabinet on Monday decided that all government educational institutions such as schools, colleges etc. would remain closed till December 31 for students. However, online studies would commence from November 26.

The final examination for class 5th, 8th, 9th and 11th would be conducted simultaneously for winter and summer closing schools in March 2021 while the board exams for 10th and 12th classes would be conducted in March 2021 together for winter and summer closing schools with 30 percent relaxation in syllabus already carried out by HP Board of School Education, the spokesman said.

Teachers would continue to work from home till further orders. Offices of High Schools, Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges would function with effect from November 26 and Principals would be at liberty to call faculty members as per local requirement, the spokesman added.

Further, it is decided that winter closing institutions would remain closed from January 1 to February 12. The online studies would continue even during the winter time.

Apart from this, session would be extended in case of winter closing schools and students of classes 1st to 4th and classes 6th and 7th would be promoted as per the provision of RTE, 2009. As the students of the winter closing schools or colleges would not be attending the classes, therefore winter vacation 2021-22 would be allowed to the teachers posted in winter closing institutions.

Earlier, it was on November 10 when the state cabinet had granted special vacation to all government and private schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, engineering colleges and coaching institutes from November 11 to 25 for students, teaching and non teaching staff.

The decision was taken after 67 students and 25 teachers and staff members were tested COVID-19 positive at the Tibetan Children Village boarding school at Chauntra in Mandi. The regular classes had started in 1862 government schools for the students of class IX to XII on November 2 in the state after a gap of almost eight months.