Punjab declares prep leave for students as COVID cases surge

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh/Mohali, March 12

Punjab’s Department of School Education has announced preparatory leaves for all classes in government, government-aided and private schools—a development that comes as Punjab sees a second wave of coronavirus cases.

Punjab School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said teachers will have to attend school, and students who need their teachers' guidance could go to school to meet them.

Final examinations will be conducted in person, with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol.

Schools have been told to ensure there’s no crowding during exams. SCERT will issue guidelines to help conduct the exams, the minister said.

Schools that have cases of COVID-19 will have to follow the protocol set by the central and state health ministries.

Punjab School Education Board has already released the schedule for board examinations. Class 5 exams will begin on March 16, Classes 8 and 12 on March 22, and Class 10 exams on April 9.

Exams for other classes—Classes 6, 7, 9, and 11—will start on March 15, and primary students—Classes 1 to 4—on March 17.