Colleges, universities open in Kerala after a gap of over 290 days

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 4 : After schools,colleges and university campuses opened partially in Kerala onMonday, after remaining closed for over 290 days due torestrictions and lockdown imposed in the wake of COVID-19pandemic.

Over 1,350 higher education institutions includingarts and science and engineering colleges, state universitiesand the lone central university in the state located inKasaragod welcomed a limited number of students in compliancewith strict COVID protocols.

Classes restarted for the final year undergraduate andpostgraduate students.

Thermal screening, mandatory usage of face masks,social distancing and frequent sanitisation of campusesgreeted students in each institution.

As per the government instructions, only 50 per centof students were allowed in each class and shift system wasintroduced in many institutions based on the strength ofstudents.

The respective institutions can arrange the classes intheir campus in two shifts between 8.30 AM to 5 PM on all daysexcept Sundays, it said.

The decision to increase the working hours and toconduct classes on Saturday has irked a section of theacademic fraternity especially those belonging to teachersunions affiliated to opposition parties.

Schools in the southern state, remained closed sincethe coronavirus-induced lockdown in March, had openedpartially on January 1 in adherence to COVID guidelines.

Classes began for 10th and 12th standard students inthe schools in government and private sectors.PTI LGKSSPTI PTI

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