Kohima: Even as schools and colleges for Classes 11 and above will be allowed to re-open in a phased manner during the third phase of Unlock from July 18 to August 1, the Nagaland government announced that it will happen only if all the staffers of the institutions are vaccinated.
It will be mandatory for all teaching and non-teaching staff in the schools and colleges to be fully vaccinated or at least must have passed 15 days after receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Besides being vaccinated, the educational institutions are also bound to ensure that COVID-19 appropriate behaviour is maintained.
Failing to abide by the government’s order, the decision to re-open higher secondary schools for Classes 11-12 (most of whom are below 18 years) by August 1 will be postponed, said government spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon.
As per the High Powered Committee (HPC) decision, colleges will be permitted to resume by July 26.
As for Classes 10 and below, HPC spokesperson Neiba Kronu said that schools will not resume “right now”. He said that the government is trying to analyse the situation to consider re-opening of schools.
Also read | Nagaland lockdown: 2-week ‘Unlock 3’ from July 18; schools to reopen on August 1
Kikon added that the schools will be opened in a phase-wise manner although the state government is yet to “take a call” on the SOP that needs to be followed for Classes 10 and below.
He added that vaccination for staffers and ensuring COVID-19 appropriate behaviour are made mandatory with the hope that it will create a safer environment for students below 18 years who cannot avail the vaccines. Students who are 18 years and above have been advised to receive vaccination.
