Although there was speculation that physical classes will be resumed after Independence Day or from September 1, it looks unlikely as none of the departments, including school education department, Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE), department of technical education and Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE), have received any information from the state on the subject. “Right now, there has been no communication from the state on resuming physical classes,” said A Sridevasena, director, school education to TOI.
She said that they have been sending updates to the state once in a week or 10 days on the situation ever since the pandemic began. “We sent an update a few days ago. It’s not a proposal or a report,” she added.
Likewise, Syed Omer Jaleel, commissioner, TSBIE said that they have been asked to share certain information with respect to functioning of educational institutions in other states and that the same was submitted a few days ago. “Now, we are waiting for the state’s decision, which will be taken in consultation with the health department,” he added.
The officials of TSCHE too said that they are waiting for the state or the University Grants Commission (UGC) to decide on resuming physical classes. “As exams for undergraduate, postgraduate, among other students are being conducted offline, it won’t take time for colleges to prepare for resumption of physical classes. However, we received no communication from the state or UGC,” said R Limbadri, vicechairman-I, TSCHE. He said that once the state makes a decision, they will release protocols to be followed by the state. “We won’t be sending any proposals on resuming physical classes. It is up to the state to decide on the subject as we are in the middle of the pandemic,” he added.
Similarly, Navin Mittal, commissioner, technical education made it clear that there is no discussion yet on resuming physical classes.
Need a month to reopen, say budget schools:
The budget school managements said that the state shouldn’t spring a surprise like last time, but give at least a month for schools to prepare for resuming physical classes. “Unlike government schools, we don’t have teachers on hold. As schools have been shut for last 16-17 months, majority of teachers moved away from the education sector, school buildings need to be cleaned, and buses are not in working condition. So, we would need at least 25 days to one month of prior notice to start physical classes,” said Shekar Rao Y, Telangana Recognized Schools Management Association adding that schools will have to spend anywhere between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 20 lakh so as to resume physical classes.
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