Schools in the Indian capital will open in a phased manner after 17 months: for the students of Classes 9 to 12, schools will reopen from September 1; classes 6 to 8 students will attend schools in Delhi from September 8 onwards. An expert committee established by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had recommended a phased reopening of schools in Delhi in September in view of the consistent low incidence of Covid in the capital in recent weeks. Delhi schools were shut in March 2020 ahead of a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.

But parents are concerned about a third wave of COVID-19 in the coming months and they are divided over the plan to reopen schools in Delhi. While a section of parents believe it’s high time to reopen schools, others feel waiting for a few more weeks or a month would do no harm, NDTV said.

Several Indian states decided to partially reopen schools in October last year when the Covid cases were on the decline. The Delhi government had allowed physical classes only for the students of Classes 9 to 12 in January this year, which were again suspended following the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases.

As of now, Classes 10, 11 and 12 students can visit schools with their parents’ consent for admission and board exam-related activities.