All schools, colleges in Telangana to begin from Feb 1st- KCR

Starting from February 1^st, grades 9^th and above will resume regular physical classes in their respective schools of the state. Apart from classes 9^th and 10^th, the Telangana government has permitted intermediate, degree colleges and other institutions offering vocational courses too to reopen.

The announcement came following a high-level meeting at Pragathi Bhavan on Monday, headed by CM KCR and which witnessed the presence of Ministers, District Collectors, and officials of different departments concerned with the matter. A week ago, the Telangana Parents Association members had met Sabitha Indra Reddy, the Education Minister, in order to discuss the reopening of schools.

Today, the Chief Minister instructed all government and private schools teaching Classes 9, 10, and Intermediate, including Classes 11 and 12, to make the required arrangement for the resumption of classroom-teaching. He ordered that the same must also begin for students of degree, post-graduation, and vocational courses.

As such, he enlisted the guidelines that need to be followed for the reopening that ensure the protection of all those who will become part of the daily ritual.

• All classrooms, corridors, washrooms, laboratories, with keen attention to areas that are regularly touched, have to be cleaned with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution to keep it sanitized.
• All premises have to be ready to welcome the batch of students and staff by keeping it clean and neat, including the furniture, by January 25^th.
• Verification of food stocks, like dal, rice and other cereals, pulses, and food commodities have to be done as they are expected to become damaged by now.
• Fresh stock of food and kitchenware has to be completed in schools that provide midday meals.
• Ministers and officials are directed to visit the schools to check the situation for the students’ occupation on February 1^st.
• Students, teachers, and other staff are instructed to mandatorily wear masks at all times.
• Hand sanitizers will be installed at the entry point of the schools and can be gone back to for sanitizing, whenever deemed necessary.
• Any student with symptoms of cold or cough will be sent home immediately.
• A distance of 6 feet and more will have to be maintained in the school premises and the classroom as well.

As for grades 1-5, the classes will remain closed for this academic year and all students will be promoted to their next standard.

Apart from this, KCR has asked officials to solve the matter pertaining to the Revenue department earlier. He also told them to be done with the issues of the new “Dharani” portal within a week, which revolve around making the required changes and inclusions for agriculture and non-agriculture land transactions. Restoration of forests in Telangana was also instructed to be given high priority.

All vacant positions and pending promotions in each department were also told to be filled in urgently. Officials were also directed to construct integrated market places and graveyards (Vaikuntha Dhamams) in urban localities so as to cater to the necessities of the people.