Meghalaya: Decision to reopen schools taken considering stakeholders' request, says Lahkmen Rymbui

SHILLONG: 

Meghalaya education minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Thursday clarified that the notification issued on the decision to relax restrictions on educational institutions from October 1, 2021, took into consideration complaints from stakeholders, especially in rural areas, that online-only classes have not sufficed and been detrimental to the education of children residing there.

"They urged that physical classes should resume, but following protocols," he said, adding that the permission is nevertheless "subject to review by deputy commissioners and managing committee from time to time depending on the cases".

Rymbui was satisfied that a large section of the 18+ years population is vaccinated, and hopes that Meghalaya will reach vaccination saturation within the next few months. Although there is no provision for vaccination of minors, he said conducting physical classes "is a must".

He reminded those concerned that many states across the country have already opened schools and other educational institutions and that the state government intends to do the same gradually in order to meet the needs of the students.

"I cannot rule out the possibility of surfacing of cases," he said, but that is no reason to suspend classes indefinitely. "We have learnt in the last one-and-a-half years how to take care and manage," he added.

Expressing confidence in the ability of schools to manage protocols, he reiterated that, should cases reach another peak again, schools and colleges would be shut as a measure, although this was not an immediate concern and would be dealt with when necessary.

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