Bengal has 14728 confirmed COVID-19 cases in total so far, with 580 deaths linked to the virus. There are 9218 active cases in the state, and in this sensitive scenario, conducting any state or national university examinations and opening schools will lead to various unwanted deaths. The virus has severely affected the conditions of the world and Bengal schools have been kept shut for the nearest 31st July.
Educational authorities in the West Bengal schools have said that they would look out for the recommendation of the state government regarding the reopening of universities and academic institutions.
The HRD minister, Mr Ramesh Pokhriyal recently announced and also advised that schools should be opened up after august only if the situation is under control and the infection rates have been conquered. The COVID-19 is spreading drastically and has led to cancellation and annulment of various examinations as well. The colleges and Bengal schools are advised to stay shut until the next announcement since social gatherings can be the main reason for the spread of this deadly virus. This is in keeping with the decision taken by South Indian schools and Maharashtra schools when it comes to staggered attendance and phased reopening. This also affects the state of various exams including the board exams.
However, education minister Partha Chatterjee said that teachers and non-teaching staff should report to school premises for duty. Since the higher secondary examinations were suspended after the COVID-19 broke down, the state will take the decision after the announcement of CBSE on exam cancellation.
CBSE has cancelled all its examinations and so the state has decided to delay the opening of schools till august.
General Secretary of Upacharya Parishad, the organisation of vice-chancellors of state universities, Subiresh Bhatattacharya, also said they will go by the decision of the higher education department about when to resume on-campus activities.
Calcutta University Vice-Chancellor Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee expressed hope that pending final year semester exams could be conducted, after minimising the possibility of large gatherings, within a month after the university reopens. All this will take place only if the coronavirus cases are under great control and increasing death rates reduce in huge numbers.
One more massive reason to delay the reopening of the schools and colleges is due to the increasing cases of coronavirus in recent days. There are 4,852 active cases while the total number of COVID 19 victims released after recovery stands at 10,190. With more number of discharged patients than active cases, the state has recorded a discharge rate of 65 per cent.
Kolkata, which has remained the epicenter of the corona outbreak, crossed 5000-mark on Thursday. The city has recorded 5,133 Covid-19 cases so far with 2,928 active cases.
The cases all over India are increasing in great no. and with such high spreading rate, it is not at all safe for the youth as well educated professionals to gather in huge no. , even if social distancing is thoroughly practiced, the chances of the virus to spread is increasing day by day. If the institutions are reopened at this time, when coronavirus is at its peak, serious problems will be faced by the country. As per many in the know, Bengal schools have taken the absolute right step by shutting down gateways of universities and colleges till August.
