The Tamil Nadu Government has postponed the reopening of schools for Classes 9 to 12 after discussion with students' parents and school administrations. Schools will not reopen on November 16 as decided earlier and new dates of reopening will be intimated later. The state government has also cancelled its previous announcement allowing permission for congregations of up to 100 persons for political, religious and cultural events.
The decision came on Thursday after numerous parents expressed their opinion against schools reopening in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the state government had initially taken permission from parents for reopening, they have been receiving massive criticism from parents' bodies in the state.
The TN government had conducted parents and teachers meets in government schools, government-aided schools, and private schools on Monday to discuss the reopening of schools. Over 12,000 schools participated along with parents. About 45 per cent of parents of school students provided their feedback on the reopening of schools amid the raging pandemic. Many of them who have kids studying in private schools wanted them to postpone until January 2021 while those of government schools agreed to reopen in November, according to reports.
While speaking to the media on Tuesday, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan had said, "A final decision on reopening the schools on November 16 will be taken by the Chief Minister and he will make an announcement."
Meanwhile, for colleges in the state, only final-year students will be expected to attend physical classes. The classes meant for final-year post-graduation and research students pursuing science and technology courses are scheduled to begin from December 2.
