The Karnataka government is mulling reopening schools for classes 1 to 5 with COVID-19 cases in the state declining and a positive response to reopening higher secondary schools and colleges across the state. Education Minister BC Nagesh on Saturday, September 11 said that the state government will make a decision soon after consulting the Technical Advisory Committee. "We are holding a meeting with the experts' committee soon. The matter will be deliberated upon and a decision will be taken after their consent," he added.
The schools and colleges across the state reopened on August 23 for classes 9 to 12. Taking into consideration the response for the same, physical classes were resumed for grades 6 to 8.
The Recognized Unaided Private Schools Association (RUPSA) in Karnataka has been demanding the reopening of primary schools for a long time. RUPSA President Halanuru S Lepaksha had warned the Karnataka government that they will stage protests if primary schools are not opened now. However, the state government has decided to tread a cautious path with respect to opening primary schools.
All districts in Karnataka have recorded less than 2% COVID-19 positivity rate. The weekend curfews have been lifted from this week in the districts near the state’s border with Kerala and Maharashtra after taking stringent measures to prevent COVID-19 infections. The state government has restricted the movement of students, employees, among others, coming from Kerala to the state till October 31.
Experts say that the threat of COVID-19 infections looms large as the ruling BJP government in the state has lowered its guard by allowing Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The TAC could defer their recommendations until the Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations end in the state.
Schools in the state were closed from March 2020 with the onset of the pandemic, and will resume physical classes for grades 1 to 5 for the first time since then.