Schools in Karnataka were reopened recently after a lockdown of one year. Source: Shutterstock
The secondary and primary education minister of Karnataka, B C Nagesh has said the ministry might stop exams and close schools if COVID-19 cases rise among students or staff members of schools and colleges. Already, a few institutes have reported COVID-positive cases. However, he has also assured that experts have stated that there was no problem as such in holding regular offline classes.
Nagesh also said that the government was carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation every hour, and also stated that the government has planned alternative arrangements to avoid any problems. The COVID-19 standard operating procedure is being followed strictly during the exams and seating arrangements are made maintaining social distancing norms.
Nagesh also asked people to not panic as it might affect the academic activities for students, especially children. Additionally, he also assured the parents that the education department has planned to take stringent measures if the COVID-19 situation worsens and it feels that it is going to impact children. The statement was produced after a few students were tested positive. Many students and staff members of a medical college in Hubballi-Dharwad have been tested positive for COVID-19.
In the residential schools in rural parts of Bengaluru, Mysuru and Chikkamagaluru, COVID-19 clusters were reported. According to the sources, the students protested in an autonomous college in Bengaluru on November 6, 2021, morning as there was COVID-19 outbreak in the hostel.
The schools and other educational institutions are still following the COVID-19 SOPs strictly. The use of sanitisers and masks have been made a part of the discipline in every educational institute in Bengaluru.