Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty on Monday made clear that though schools will resume offline classes next week, it is not mandatory for students to attend classes.
He clarified that the State government has given no diktat making in-person classes mandatory.
Students may come to school with parental consent, the minister said.
In addition to in-person classes, schools will also be making online versions available for those who can't make it, the minister added.
The statement comes on the heels of another he made on Sunday urging teachers to ensure that all students come to schools.
He had also directed schools to function from morning to evening as per their schedule from February 21.
This was met with widespread complaints from concerned parents and even teachers.
He reasoned that the priority is "to complete classes in a timely manner and conduct exams on time."
Citing how students are raring to be back in classrooms again among their friends and the dipping COVID threat, the minister expressed hope that more children are likely to turn up for in-person classes than the few who did when schools reopened briefly before the Omicron wave had them retreating back to online mode of learning.
"Even if only a few students attend school initially, the number is likely to increase in the coming days," the minister said.
Schools to function full-time from Feb 21
Schools in Kerala will function full time from February 21. Until then, classes till grade 9 will be held only till noon.
This new directive is applicable to all schools, including those following CBSE and ICSE syllabuses.
All Saturdays, except public holidays in February and March, will be working days.
However, for the pre-primary section, classes will take place only from Monday to Friday.
In addition to this, schools can conduct additional classes to finish the syllabus on time, the minister said.
Classes for 10, 11, 12 grades began last week.
Schools in Kerala have been functioning in hybrid mode for long in Kerala due to the prevailing COVID situation.
Exams as usual
Annual exams will be conducted for classes from 1 to 9.
Model examinations for SSLC, Plus Two and Vocational Higher Secondary will start from March 16.