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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Missing man found charred under bridge in Gadag; family suspects foul play
Gadag: A 28-year-old man who had been missing for four days was found dead in a burnt condition under suspicious circumstances in Gadag district.
The deceased has been identified as Chandru Kuri, a resident of Huyilagol village in Gadag taluk. According to reports, he had left his house on the night of March 24 after receiving a phone call and did not return.
Family members, who had been searching for him since then, later came to know that a body had been found in a charred state under a bridge on the outskirts of Hombal village.
Sources said the condition of the body indicates that it was set on fire, possibly to destroy evidence and conceal identity.
The family has alleged foul play, stating that Chandru may have been called out and murdered. They have also expressed suspicion over the involvement of certain individuals.
Gadag Rural Police have registered a case of suspicious death and initiated an investigation. Police said all possible angles are being examined to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
