Online classes to continue until end-August

The education ministry today announced that classes will continue to be held online until Aug 31, in light of the Covid-19 situation.

In a statement, it said the directive will apply to all government and private schools as well as institutes of education registered with the ministry.

As of July 16, it said 253,366 teachers and administrators (61.30%) and 10,876 support staff (46.33%) had received at least a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

Taking into consideration this rate of vaccination, it said, face-to-face sessions would begin in stages from Sept 1.

“The education ministry will continue taking into account the risk assessments by the health ministry and National Security Council to determine any need to change this date,” it said.

“Any changes will be announced in advance.”

The education ministry also said it would announce further details about the reopening of schools for face-to-face classes at least a week before these begin.

Schools in the country have been carrying out home-based teaching and learning since the new term began in mid-June.

The decision to keep students at home came amid a continuing spike of Covid-19 infections.