Educational institutions in Assam, which have been closed since the lockdown in March, will reopen from November 2 with strict compliance of COVID-19 protocols, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday. Educational institutions will reopen for students from Class 6 to the postgraduate level with certain restrictions in place, he said. Schools will, however, remain closed for students up to Class 5, he said.

Private schools and coaching centres can reopen from November 2 and must follow the COVID-19 regulations. Each of them will have to remain in contact with the health department and periodic testing will be conducted in these institutes, Mr Sarma said. The government has no objection if the private schools want to continue with online classes, the minister said. 

Joining school will, however, be a voluntary exercise on the part of the students. Their guardians will take the decision on sending them to school or not, and the necessary attendance required will not be applicable this year, he said.

The ‘unlock 5’ guidelines of the ministry of home affairs have allowed the schools to reopen across the country after October 15 in a graded manner. The decision will, however, be taken by the state governments and the administration of the Union territories.