Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to keep all schools across the state closed till December 31.
According to the notification issued by School and Mass Education Department on Friday, the decision was taken based on the experience of the states where schools had reopened.
In Andhra Pradesh, 575 students and 829 teachers had tested COVID-19 positive after the schools reopened on November 2.
It also referred to the second wave of COVID-19 cases being experienced in some states.
“Now, therefore, the State Government do hereby direct that all schools in the State shall remain closed till December 31, 2020,” it added.
Notwithstanding closure of academic institutions, the following will be permitted:
a. Conduct of examinations (academic competitive and entrance tests), evaluation and other administrative activities.
b. Online distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
c. Teaching and non-teaching staff may be called to the schools for online teaching/ tele-counselling and related work, in areas outside the Continent Zones as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Education Health and Family Welfare.