Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Dec 30: On January 1, 2021, 10th and 12th standard classes will start in the state as per the decision taken in the meeting that was presided over by chief minister B S Yediyurappa under the guidance of Karnataka state Covid technical advisory committee. The government is also continuing the Vidyagama programme for other grades in government schools.
Education minister Suresh Kumar visited various schools and colleges on Wednesday December 30 and inspected the precautions taken, protocol and other necessary arrangements to ensure safety of students. He also had interaction with teachers and parents of students to know whether they are interested in starting schools and how they are getting themselves prepared. The parents of students were also asked to come to the schools.
Speaking to the parents, minister Suresh Kumar said, "Send your children to school without any fear. All precautionary measures are being taken by the school authorities. Health department is also working in tandem with the school administration. Even then, if you are scared to send your wards to school, we will not pressurize you to send them to school. It is not mandatory to attend school but voluntary.
"Only when children attend school, they study well. Lessons have to be learnt with the teachers. Online education is not that effective for our children. Parents have to send consent letters with their children. Classes will be held with facemask on, maintaining social distance and using hand sanitizers.
"All other activities have started after the Covid-19 lockdown was lifted. This decision is taken in order to prevent the inordinate postponement of schools and allow children to have direct interaction with teachers.
"Children living in Bengaluru are getting online education. However, the children of the poorer section of the society, who live in remote villages are being deprived of both online and offline education. In many areas children are being sent for child labour. Many complaints are received by our department that adolescent girls are being married off in backward villages as there are no schools functioning now. Children are being kept away from education. Schools are being started with the intention of keeping students engaged in continuous education.
"If the students, who attend schools, have cold, fever, cough, they will be kept in separate room and suitable medical treatment will be given,” he said.