West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu said that the government has no plans of shutting down schools at the moment. Source: Bratya Basu
Education Minister Bratya Basu, on Friday, said that the government does not plan on “immediately” shutting down schools in West Bengal despite the alarming hike in Covid-19 cases over the past few months.
He mentioned that the decision to close down schools, colleges, and universities in the state lies with the Health Department. However, he highlighted that schools will remain open for physical classes in the near future, keeping all Covid-19 distancing protocols intact. "We will act as per the advice of the Health Department. Nothing immediate is on the cards," said Basu.
West Bengal reported 2,950 new Covid-19 cases on Friday itself, indicating a positivity rate of 16.92 per cent. On Sunday, the figures rose to 2,962 cases, with a positivity rate of 17.36 per cent, as reported by the Health Department. There are a total of 23,264 active cases in the state as of Sunday, and there is growing concern amid students and parents about the fact that all schools and colleges continue to function in-person.
Meanwhile, Basu also confirmed that the state government intends to conduct the long-overdue students’ union election within schools and universities. “We are watching the emerging Covid-19 situation. A decision will be taken on the union polls based on it,” he added. It remains to be seen how the union elections unfurl in the states’ colleges and universities, as Covid-19 cases continue to rise exponentially.