Karnataka will reopen universities from November 17, optional for students to take classes offline or online


(This story was first published in the Times of India on October 23, 2020)

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has finally decided to reopen all graduates and graduate universities in the state since November 17. This includes Engineering, polytechnic and graduate universities.

However, it has given students the option of attending classes offline or continuing online.

On Friday, after a meeting chaired by the prime minister BS Yediyurappa, Senior Deputy Minister and Minister of Higher Education CN Ashwath Narayan said: “We have decided to reopen universities as of November 17, based on UGC permits granted to states.”

The decision comes after the end of the festive season (Deepavali is November 13) and students who have already started their online classes from September, offline re-entry.

“We have given students three options: A) Attend offline classes starting November 17, B) Continue with online classes and C) A mix of offline and online classes depending on the available infrastructure in universities, ”Narayan said.

However, Narayan has clarified that only those students who obtain permission from their parents can attend the offline course at universities.

“Without parental consent, students will not be allowed to enroll in classes offline,” he said.

Colleges will now have 20 days to send the government the number of students who will be enrolling in the next few weeks for offline classes.

“Once we have clarity on how many students have enrolled, we will decide if classes will be held in shifts or on alternate days,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, DCM also said that each university will be asked to form a task force to enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued by the health department and the government. The working groups will be headed by the director of the university or the HoD. You will be asked to coordinate with district administration and health officials.

“We are going to bring together all the essential departments, including the health department for tests and medical checkups, transportation departments for services and the district administration for additional requirements,” Narayan said.

At the meeting, the CM was informed that up to 18,000 professors and teachers are employed in governmental and government-subsidized institutes in the state.

He was also informed about the precautions being taken and the availability of online classes through the youtube channel launched by the department of higher education.

Shelters will also be opened

Meanwhile, the government has also decided to reopen the various hostels in the welfare department so that students can rejoin the universities in their towns.

“These students will receive extra attention for their safety and the government will allow students to move in two days before the universities reopen,” he said.

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