Kerala school reopening news: State to resume offline classes in a phased manner after Centre's nod

Kerala will reopen schools in a phased manner after the southern state gets a go-ahead from the Centre, expert committee and the situation becomes favourable, Education Minister V Shivakutty said on Monday in the assembly. Online classes have put huge mental and physical strain on students, he said, adding, many are facing health issues. 

He added, “To reduce the mental stress of students due to Covid related situations, the Kerala women and child department and students cadet police are giving counselling to students. The government also planning to arrange special training for teachers to give counselling to students to reduce their mental stress."

While some states have already reopened or have announced the reopening of schools, the Education Minister said, Kerala is waiting for the clearance from Centre. He said, " ...with this regard and once that comes, then we will have to see about vaccination and here too it has to be decided by the Centre. So once the vaccine jabs are given, then in phases schools will be opened."

Recently, the central government's Parliamentary Committee had said that the hazards of not reopening schools after prolonged shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic are "too serious to be ignored." 

“The closure of schools for over a year has had a deep impact on the wellbeing of students, especially their mental health. The hazards of not opening the schools are too serious to be ignored. The confinement of young children within the four walls of the house, being unable to attend school, has altered the relationship between the parent and the children adversely," the committee noted