TN schools won't be reopened for now, says Sengottaiyan

Observing that the schools could not be reopened now, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan on Monday said a decision would be taken after consultation with all departmental officials.

He further stated that any decision about reopening of schools will be taken by Chief Minister.

Minister Sengottaiyan held discussion with education department officials on the reopening of schools amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

School Education Secretary Dheeraj Kumar, Commissioner of School Education N Venkatesh, Director of School Education Kannappan and Director of Elementary Education Palanisamy and other officials met at the Secretariat and discussed on the reopening of educational institutions in the state.

Minister Sengottaiyan had last week said schools in the state would not be reopened due to the prevailing pandemic situation. “In Andhra Pradesh, schools were reopened but it led to several students being infected with COVID-19," he said, The Madras High Court has also directed the State government to clarify on the possibility of opening schools at least by year-end and if they do not open by then, at least allowing schools to collect fees as 40% to 50% of parents have not paid even 40% of fees, as ordered by the court on July 17 as first instalment, despite utilising the benefit of online classes.

The schools in Tamil Nadu has been closed ever since the March lockdown.