Shillong, May 04: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday said the government is yet to take a call on re-opening of educational institutions in view of the national lockdown which has been extended to May 17.
“We are yet to decide on the matter related to re-opening of educational institutions in urban as well as rural areas of the state,†Tynsong told reporters.
His statement came a day after the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) and Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and some social activist expressed strong reservation against the move to immediately re-open educational institutions post lockdown.
In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, the three groups stated that it was not wise to re-open educational institutions at this juncture in view of the global opinion about the second wave outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to them, the educational institutions will not be in a position to abide social distancing norms and the state government must be prepared for the possible second wave outbreak.
The Deputy CM also informed that the Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui is still in the process of holding consultations with various stakeholders including the school managing committees (SMCs) for their views and suggestions on the matter.