Bengaluru: The state government has allowed reopening of primary schools for 6th to 8th standard from September 6 onwards in the taluks where the Covid positivity rate is below 2 per cent. 

After chairing a meeting with the Covid Technical Committee in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai discussed the covid situation in the state and gave permission to start classes from 6th to 8th standard from September 6. 

However, schools will be reopened where the positivity rate is below 2 per cent. Instead of taking district wise positive rates, the government will consider positivity rates in the Taluks to reopen schools. 

Revenue Minister R. Ashok said, "Covid guidelines will be strictly followed during offline classes. Classes will be conducted on alternative days for five days. Class rooms will be sanitized on the remaining two days (Saturday and Sunday)". 

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The government has already allowed offline classes for 9th to 12th standard for six days and asked private and government schools to strictly follow the covid guidelines. Only 50 per cent of the students should be allowed to attend the classes and stretch alternative days. ( If a student attends the classes on Monday, he or she should not attend the classes on Tuesday). 

Following the good response from the students and parents for offline classes of 9th to 12th standards, the government has given the nod to allow offline classes for 6th to 8th standards. 

The government has decided to allow offline classes after assessing ground level situations. Out of 6068, there was zero positivity in 2912 gram panchayats (village councils). Out of 6472 samples collected, only 14 students have tested positive. Thus expert committee has given permission to reopen primary schools in the state.