Meghalaya Govt to soon decide reopening of schools, colleges

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 5, 2021

Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Thursday said the state government would soon decide on reopening of the schools and colleges despite the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hopefully after the Independence Day celebration, we will be able to start (reopening of schools and colleges in the state),” Rymbui told reporters.

Stating that only 50 percent of the population is vaccinated in Meghalaya, Rymbui however said that the percentage needs to be increased as he urged citizens to get themselves vaccinated in order to provide a safe environment to the students.

“I am very happy that everyday about 10,000 people in the state are vaccinated and I hope with this, we are able to increase the percentage (of the vaccination),” he added.

The minister said that many people are talking only about the deficiencies and that they cannot do anything because of the ongoing pandemic.

He also asked when there is a way which could lead to some semblance of normal life with this vaccination why people are still hesitating.

“So I take this opportunity to urge the parents, and friends all over the state to let us give education to our children by vaccinating ourselves so that our society will be more resistant to this covid virus so that we could start some semblance if not total of normal life,” he said.

Asked, Rymbui said more than 50 percent of the students are vaccinated.

“When everything has already started and even the market is also opening then why not the schools? This is my personal opinion but (any decision) will have to be collectively taken with the health department and other ministers in the government,” he said while asserting the need to resume classroom teachings wherever possible.