Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to open colleges across the state from November 17. This will include engineering colleges, diploma colleges and degree colleges. This had been decided at a meeting headed by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and attended by ministers and senior officials.
However, students would continue to have the option of attending class personally or online. They will need parental consent to attend classes physically.
The number of batches would be decided following seeing how many students decide to be physically present in the colleges.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ashwath Narayan said, “As per the UGC guidelines, online classes began in October. States were told to decide about opening colleges based on the situation. We presented to the chief minister the preparations made for opening colleges and asked for a suitable date. November 17th, after Deepavali, we are opening colleges for students who want to come and attend the classes. It is optional. Regarding the practical classes they need to attend. This has been a demand of the students as it is their future.”
The necessary SOPs would be followed in the colleges and also in hostels. Each college will have a task force to ensure the proper procedures are followed.
Dr Narayan stated the opening of other institutions for students would gradually happen in reverse order, from degree level downwards.
As elsewhere in the country, educational institutions, colleges in Karnataka have been closed to students for months – since the begin of the pandemic.
