CHANDIGARH, Sep 7 : In a move to restore academic normalcy amid improving conditions following severe floods and heavy rainfall, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains today directed the reopening of all educational institutions across the state starting September 8, with specific protocols for government schools to prioritize safety inspections.
The announcement comes as floodwaters recede in most areas, allowing authorities to shift focus from emergency response to recovery. All private schools, colleges, universities, polytechnic institutes, and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will resume full operations on Monday, September 8, for both teachers and students. Management of these institutions has been tasked with conducting thorough safety checks on buildings and classrooms to safeguard occupants.
For government schools, the schedule is staggered: Teachers and staff will report on September 8 for on-site assessments, including cleaning drives, damage evaluations, and structural inspections. Student classes will commence from September 9 onward. Bains instructed school heads to collaborate with School Management Committees (SMCs), local panchayats, municipal councils, and engineering departments to expedite these activities. Any identified hazards must be reported immediately to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to prevent risks.
In severely flood-impacted districts, DCs have been empowered to assess local conditions and decide on temporary closures for affected institutions, ensuring decisions align with ground realities. This decentralized approach aims to balance educational continuity with public safety, particularly in regions like Ferozepur and Gurdaspur where flooding has lingered.
“Student and staff safety is non-negotiable,” Bains emphasized, urging administrators to verify water drainage, structural integrity, and overall habitability before full resumption. The minister also highlighted the role of community support in accelerating cleanup, noting that the floods triggered by overflowing Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers had disrupted life across 10 districts, affecting over 3.5 lakh people.
This phased reopening follows an extension of closures until September 7, as initially ordered by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to protect against ongoing heavy rains. With conditions stabilizing, the government anticipates minimal academic disruption, though parents are advised to monitor updates from their institutions.
(UNI)
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