Each university would have a task force to make sure proper procedures are followed.
Bangalore:
The Karnataka government has decided to reopen universities in the state as of November 17. This includes engineering, diploma and degree colleges. This decision was made today at a meeting led by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, which was attended by ministers and senior officials.
Students, however, have the option of attending classes physically or online, with parental consent for the former. The number of lots in each school will be decided based on the number of students who choose physical classes.
“On November 17, after Deepavali, we will open universities for students who want to attend classes. It is optional … This has been a demand of the students as is their future,” Karnataka Chief Deputy Minister, Dr. Ashwath Narayan.
Following UGC guidelines, the online classes had already started in October. The decision to reopen the campuses in November was left to the states based on their respective situations.
“We presented to the Chief Minister the preparations made for the opening of universities and asked him for a suitable date,” said Dr. Narayan.
All necessary SOPs would be followed at universities and shelters, he said. Each institution will have a working group to ensure that procedures are followed.
The opening of other educational institutions, Dr. Narayan said, would happen gradually from grade level down.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state has now fallen below the 1 lakh mark with more recoveries recorded than new cases for the eighth consecutive day through Thursday. The number of active cases as of Thursday was 92,927, with more than 10,700 deaths recorded in the state since the pandemic broke out.
.
