Coronavirus Lockdown: All primary schools in Bihar to reopen from March 1

Nearly one year after they were closed following nationwide lockdown in March last year, the primary schools in Bihar, both Government as well as private institutions, will reopen from March 1.

A decision to this effect was taken by Bihar Chief Secretary, Deepak Kumar, after chairing a meeting of Crisis Management Group (CMG). All the schools, teachers, children and parents will have to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines.

“Fifteen days after the schools reopen, we will review the situation and then decide whether the classes should continue or not,” said the Chief Secretary, after his meeting with the top officials ended.

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It is pertinent to point out here that classes from IXth to XIIth started on January 4, 2021, with strictly following Covid-19 guidelines. After encouraging reports, teaching in Class VIth to VIIIth were allowed from February 8 onwards. With normalcy fast returning, the Nitish regime has now decided to open primary schools too and allow teaching in Class I to V.

“All the students, from Class I to VIIIth will be promoted without appearing for the mandatory examination. The extra-ordinary decision has been taken in view of the extra-ordinary situation arising following pandemic where the students suffered a lot in the last one year,” a senior government official of the Education Department averred on Sunday.

“Much like the senior classes, the students of primary classes too will have to adhere to the social distancing norms and come to the school on alternate days as only 50 per cent students will be allowed to enter their classroom at a time. Masks and sanitiser are must for everyone,” the official added.