SHILLONG: As COVID situation in Meghalaya continues to cause serious concern, the fate of the educational institutions remain shrouded in more uncertainties than any time before.
When questioned, Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui on Thursday could not make any commitment in this regard. He made it plain that the State would have to wait for the direction from the Centre as far as taking a call on re-opening of educational institutions.
Reminding that the Central government had given direction to close all the educational institutions till August 31, Rymbui said that the Central government was continuously and closely monitoring the situation. “They will issue notification and as and when the notification arrives, then only we will decide,” he said.
Asked whether the government is looking at the option to reopen schools from IX to XII, he said that it is too premature to say anything now. “Like I said we have to wait for the decision of the centre”, he added.
The Education Minister however informed that the department was ready with all modalities and protocols to be followed by the institutions, while assuring that the government will do whatever needs to be done for the benefit of the students while taking cognisance of the health of the students.
It’s been five months since schools and colleges were closed down in the state owing to the pandemic and the institutions have resorted to online classes, the problem is that many students do not have access to online facilities. But concerns are being raised particularly for students who will be appearing the board exams.