Tamil Nadu to reopen schools for Classes 10, 12 from 19 Jan; classrooms to not exceed more than 25 students

Chennai: Schools would reopen for students of the tenth and twelfth grades from 19 January and each classroom shall have a strength not exceeding 25 pupils, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced on Tuesday. The move is considering the interests of students (who are slated to sit for public examinations due during March- April) and they shall be provided immunity-boosting vitamin and zinc tablets, he said. Permission is granted to schools to function only for these two classes by adhering to the government’s Standard Operating Procedure, he said. Based on the opinion of public health and medical experts, district collectors, senior ministers, and considering the view of a majority of parents, the schools shall work for only students of classes 10 and 12, Palaniswami said in an official release. Between 6 and 8 January, the opinion of parents was elicited and a majority of them gave their concurrence to reopen schools for Classes10 and 12 and 95 percent of schools have given their reports on the matter, he said. “I appeal to parents, teachers, and students to extend their full cooperation to the government in its efforts aimed at the welfare of students and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. Tamil Nadu government, after deciding to reopen schools for classes 9 to 12 from 16 November deferred the move due to apprehensions over COVID-19 and after consultations.