Gandhinagar: The government of Gujarat has taken in-principle decision to reopen class 9 to 12 of schools with physical presence of students along with colleges. The State cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister decided to reopen all educational institutions with physical presence post Diwali. However the dates of reopening are yet not decided. It could be 1st December or November 23 when subordinate courts across Gujarat barring those in key cities are going to reopen.

The exact date of reopening and other modalities such as Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) are still being discussed among education department in consultation with the state health department.

According to Education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, a meeting of senior officials was convened today to discuss reopening of class 9-12 and colleges and instructions were given to officials to prepare SOPs. Chudasama said, the University Vice Chancellors will have online deliberation on SOPs and reopening. Same way, deliberations will also take place for reopening of schools for class 9 to 12. Based on decisions taken in these two meetings, a high level meeting will be held eventually by the State government to take final decision on reopening.

The government of India has left it to states to decide reopening of schools amid COVID-19 outbreak. At present, Diwali vacation is going on till November 18. DeshGujarat