No decision on opening schools by Himachal Cabinet

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 4

Contrary to expectations, schools in Himachal will remain closed till September 14 as decided earlier.

It was being expected that the state government could take a call on opening of schools like colleges at today’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, but it has been decided to wait for some more time.

Though the teachers and other staff in all government schools have been attending school, regular classes for students of classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 have yet to resume. As such the school exams being conducted currently would continue to be held online.

The schools which had been opened on August 2 for senior classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 were closed down once there was a surge in Covid cases. With many government school teachers and students testing positive, the fear of transmission forced the government to close down schools, which will remain closed till September 14, as per the earlier order.

The positivity rate, especially in districts of Mandi, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti remains worrisome with more than 200 new cases being reported daily. Also, the high fatality figure of about four Covid deaths daily on an average has forced the government to tread cautiously.