Schools will be opened as soon as situation improves: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the schools in the state will not be late to reopen once the situation improves.  He was inaugurating the free food-kit distribution for the students included in the school lunch scheme. The online classes, started due to the inevitable closure of the schools are successful, he said.

The students were provided with necessary basic infrastructure.  If there are any students yet left without facilities to attend the online classes, it will be solved forthwith once the matter is conveyed to the Education Department.

The free food-kits are for students in pre-primary to Standard VIII. A kit comprises rice and nine grocery items.  26,26,763 students in government and aided schools will benefit from the scheme.

Schools were closed for 15 days in March due to Covid 19 pandemic. Food security allowance towards 39 days, excluding the 15 days of March and holidays of April and May, are being distributed now. As the schools are yet to open, kits will be distributed through the parents.

Rs 81.37 Crores including the Central government contribution is the expense incurred. The kits towards the months of June and July also will be distributed in the same manner.

Education Minister C. Ravindranath, Minister P. Thilothaman, General Education Secretary A. Shajahan, Director K. Jeevanbabu, Civil Supplies Department Chairman and Managing Director Dr. B. Ashok also took part in the video conference.