The State Government has announced resumption of physical classes for students of Classes-XI and VIII after  Durga Puja vacations from October 21 and October 25, respectively, as the State is witnessing a declining trend in Covid-19 cases.

Classroom teaching for students of Classes-IX and XII has already been resumed with strict adherence to health safety guidelines.“The Covid situation has been improving in State. We will resume classroom teaching for students of Classes-XI and VIII,” School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said.

He said no decision has been taken for reopening of schools for students from Classes-I to VII. Schools remain closed from October 9 for Durga Puja and Kumar Purnima and will reopen on October 21. The School and Mass Education Department in a notification said Government has allowed reopening of schools run by State, Government aided and privately managed Odia and English Medium schools for Classes-VIII and XI for year 2021-22 under the strategy of graded opening of schools.

The schools for Class-XI (Higher Secondary) will be reopened with effect from October 21 with timing from 10 am to 1.30 pm daily and schools for Class-VIII (Elementary Education) will be opened from October 25 with timing from 9 am, the notification said.

“Both online and offline classes will continue and students can attend offline classes in consultation with their parents and guardians. No cooked MDM will be served to the students of Class-VIII and dry ration would be provided as being provided earlier,” the notification added.