The Education Department has decided to recommend reopening of schools and colleges in the State from September 1.
The recommendation will be sent to the High-Powered Committee (HPC) chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui informed reporters that the department has decided to make the recommendation because there is a need to resume classroom teaching because online classes alone cannot replace classroom learning.
Rymbui said that the modalities on reopening of schools and colleges would be finalised after the approval.
He further said that the education department will recommend reopening of all colleges and classes from 9 to 12 in both rural and urban areas. School visits for Classes 6-8 in urban areas and online teaching will continue for Classes 1-5 in urban areas while there can only be school visits for the same classes in rural areas, he added.
School and colleges were shut down since March last year following the first wave of COVID-19. The educational institutions reopened for a while early this year before being closed again due to the second wave of the pandemic.
