In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24. Although the government eased restrictions, schools and colleges continue to remain closed, ever since.
Recent viral posts on social media claim that the Education Minister of the country has taken a decision to open schools and colleges in a phased manner.
According to the posts, the Education Minister has stated that schools and colleges would open for students studying in class 9 to 12 from September 21.
‘Schools and colleges would open for students studying in class 9 to 12 from September 21. It also says that 15 days later schools would open for students in class 6 to 8. further 15 days later schools for students in classes 1 to 8 would open up. The universities would take a call on how to conduct exams and from next week onwards, admissions to colleges would begin. Further from October 1 all schools and colleges would completely resume, the post is attributed to the education ministry claims (translated to English),’ reads one such post.
*ब्रेकिंग न्यूज़ शिक्षा विभाग**शिक्षा मंत्री का बयान 21 सितंबर से 9वीं से लेकर 12वीं तक बच्चों के लिए खोल दिए जाएंगे स्कूल**15 दिन के बाद 6th से लेकर आठवीं तक खोल दिए जाएंगे स्कूल* *उसके बाद 15 दिन बाद पहली से लेकर पांचवी तक के स्कूल खुले जाए*शिक्षा मंत्री*#schoolreopen
— Yash Yadav (@YashYad74332671) September 6, 2020
*ब्रेकिंग न्यूज़ शिक्षा विभाग* *शिक्षा मंत्री का बयान 21 सितंबर से 9वीं से लेकर 12वीं तक बच्चों के लिए खोल दिए जाएंगे स्कूल**15 दिन के बाद 6th से लेकर आठवीं तक खोल दिए जाएंगे स्कूल* *उसके बाद 15 दिन बाद पहली से लेकर पांचवी तक के स्कूल खुले जाए*शिक्षा
— Pankaj Yadav (@PankajY52365715) September 8, 2020
*ब्रेकिंग न्यूज़ शिक्षा विभाग -**शिक्षा मंत्री का बयान 21 सितंबर से 9वीं से लेकर 12वीं तक बच्चों के लिए खोल दिए जाएंगे स्कूल**15 दिन के बाद 6th से लेकर आठवीं तक खोल दिए जाएंगे स्कूल* *उसके बाद 15 दिन बाद पहली से लेकर पांचवी तक के स्कूल खुले जाए*शिक्षा मंत्री* @DrRPNishank
— Uday Shanker Saini (@udayshankersai3) September 4, 2020
Claim:
Education Minister has stated that schools and colleges would open for students studying in class 9 to 12 from September 21.
Fact Check:
The claim is misleading. The Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal, has not made any such statement.
According to Unlock 4 guidelines, issued on August 30, students of the class, 9th-12th can go to school to consult teachers.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had said that schools and colleges across the country shall remain closed until September 30.
‘After extensive consultations with all the states and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to 30th September 2020,’ read the statement.
#IndiaFightsCoronaHealth Ministry issues SOP for partial reopening of Schools for students of 9th-12th classes on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers in the context of #COVID19.https://t.co/i1I8pPwXyT pic.twitter.com/6c9datyVOC
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) September 8, 2020
The statement also specified that the Students of classes 9 to 12 may volunteer to visit schools outside Containment Zones for consulting the teachers.
The MHA had also added that ‘online and distance learning will be permitted, with up to 50% of teaching and non- teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ Tele- counselling related work in areas outside containment zones only with effect from 21st September 2020 for which SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.’
The Unlock 4 guidelines can be read here.
Further, the PIB Fact check also debunked the fake statement.
दावा:एक #WhatsApp फॉरवर्ड मे शिक्षा मंत्री के हवाले से दावा किया जा रहा है कि 21 सितम्बर से चरणबद्ध तरीके से स्कूल खोले जाएंगे#PIBFactCheck:शिक्षा मंत्री ने ऐसा कोई बयान नहीं दिया है।#Unlock4Guidelines के अनुसार 9वी-12वी कक्षा के छात्र शिक्षकों से परामर्श के लिए स्कूल जा सकते है pic.twitter.com/VxEAavN5Hb
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 7, 2020
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