Kathmandu:
On Sunday, the Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) of the Government of Nepal, through its press release, shared the decision to stop physical classes in schools and academic institutions and postpone all pending exams of all levels until further notice. The decision comes amid the rising cases of the Covid-19 infection across the country.
“This release is issued to inform all about the decision to stop physical classes in schools and educational institutions throughout the country and postpone all the pre-scheduled physical examinations,” read the press note.
Previously, Cabinet meeting had decided to go ahead with the ongoing exams.
Education Minister Krishna Gopal Shrestha was advocating to the contrary until a week ago. On April 17, while delivering a speech at the 37th General Assembly of Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ACAN), he had vehemently opposed the idea of closing down schools, claiming that schools are safer places for children than homes.
His remarks had courted controversies and criticism as it was interpreted as his attempt to ensure profit for private educational institutions at the cost of children’s health.
Amid the rising spread of the second wave of the pandemic, many schools across the country have already suspended physical classes and exams and shifted to virtual mode.
CCMC’s Sunday’s decision put many students in confusion. Social media was flooded with posts questioning whether there would be exams the next day or not. Many stated that Tribhuvan University was going ahead with its exam schedule.
The government does not seem to have any plan regarding how to run classes for the students who lack access to the internet.
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