Education Minister Thokchom Radheshyam on Thursday held a meeting with the representatives of the students’ organisations to discuss the necessary steps of preparedness that needs to be taken up with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic if the educational institutions in the state are to be re-opened.

Attended by the commissioner, Education (S) T Ranjit Singh; commissioner, Higher & Technical Education, M Harekrishna; director Education (S) L Nandakumar Singh; director, University & Higher Education,  Kh Diana and officials concerned of the department of education the meeting was held at the conference hall of Samagra Siksha, Manipur.

Briefing the media, the Minister said that the meeting discussed the need for re-opening of the educational institutions especially the technical educational institutions and the colleges as the examinations for the bachelors’ degree is scheduled for completion by the end of September 2020. He elaborated that the meeting mainly focused on the necessary steps that need to be taken up before the examination to ensure the safety of the students.

Th Radheshyam pointed out that it has been more than five months that all the educational institutions have remained closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.He said that to regain the confidence and to lessen the fear of the pandemic among the students especially for college and the 12th class, phase wise interactive classes’ session with the principals and teachers by maintaining physical distance was also discussed.

He further added that the meeting discussed the issues concerning the scholarships for those pursuing higher studies.
Appreciating the students’ organizations for the positive response, the Minister said that during the meeting many suggestions and proposals were given by the representatives of the students’ organizations and also assured to support and extend cooperation in sanitizing and in implementing SOP in the educational institutions.