Karnataka not to reopen schools, Pre-University colleges in December
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Monday decided not to reopen schools and pre-university colleges in December due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.
A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in this regard decided to meet again by the third week of December to discuss the future course of action, on the recommendation from experts and the health department.
"All education experts, health department and experts have opined that a discussion about opening schools and pre-university colleges should be held by December end.. this is not the time as COVID cases may go up and may affect the students," Yediyurappa said.
The schools have remained closed since March when the national lockdown was first enforced to combat COVID-19.
The meeting, he told reporters later, unanimously decided to meet again by December end to decide on the future course of action and not to reopen schools and pre-university colleges until then.
The Chief Minister said not even five percent of students are attending classes in Degree and engineering colleges that were reopened on November 17.
The meeting was attended by Primary and Secondary Education minister S Suresh Kumar, officials of education, health, rural development, and transport departments, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, and experts.
Health Minister K Sudhakar attended the meeting virtually.
Suresh Kumar said the Chief Minister took the decision as ultimately, saving lives was more important by honoring the advice of the health department
The Education Department would implement the decision.
However classes through public broadcaster- "Samveda", and other means like online would continue.
He said there were two opinions on the matter in the state -- one not to open schools and the other that if it was not done, students in rural areas would face difficulties and their plight should be taken care of.
The department had held consultations with all stakeholders in this regard after which it was decided to hold a meeting under the CM's leadership and also seek the health department's advice, Kumar said.
The Health Minister informed the meeting that the Technical Advisory Committee for COVID-19, comprising about 14 medical experts, had recommended not to reopen schools and PU colleges in December.
Proceedings of the Committee meeting shared with the media said COVID-19 infections were on a declining trend with around 1,700 cases and 20 deaths reported daily and it was important to consolidate this gain made after great efforts in the last eight months to contain the disease.
It said, however, currently there is a spike/resurgence of cases in Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and other states.
Besides, the cold weather in December and January was conducive to the occurrence and spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, it said, adding that the epidemiological perspective based on a state-wide survey in September was there may be a spike in cases in districts with low prevalence.
The government was now not thinking of reopening schools for classes 1 to 8, Kumar said, adding that discussions had taken place on students facing Class 10 board exams and second PUC (class 12 students who have to face competitive exams), as also in districts where there is lesser number of cases.
Kumar said the meeting also discussed social problems arsing because of not opening schools, with reports of cases concerning child labor and child marriages.
The Minister, in response to a question, said the schedule for class 10 and second PUC exams would be announced soon after discussions so that students will have a better idea.
S R Umashankar, Principal Secretary, Department of Primary and Secondary Education Department, said there are about 9,59,566 class 10 students in Karnataka, including state, CBSE, and ICSE board and 5,70,176 for second PUC (class 12) exams under state board.
On private schools seeking permission to collect second term fees, he said the government was considering it and was looking at the costs involved, input given to students, and the situation of the parents.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
