The Mizoram Government has decided to regularly reopen schools from October 16, for students of classes 10 and 12. The decision was taken in accordance with the Union home ministry’s order, which allowed states to reopen schools after October 15, depending on the COVID-19 situation in their respective states.

School education department director James Lalrinchhana on Monday said the decision was taken during a meeting chaired by education minister Lalchhandama Ralte. Officials of the department and representatives of a church body, the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), student bodies and other stakeholders took part in the meeting.

The education department has issued a separate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which should be followed by all the authorities of schools and hostels besides students, he said. Only students who have tested negative for COVID-19 in rapid antigen tests will be allowed in hostels.

It is to be noted that the state government has partially reopened schools from September 21 for students of classes 9 to 12, allowing them to consult their teachers on subject matters.

The attendees of the meeting agreed to continue with the existing system for students of classes 9 to 12 and decided to hold the next deliberation before mid-November to decide on reopening primary to high schools depending on the COVID-19 situation in the state, Mr Lalrinchhana said.