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The Meghalaya government has allowed the reopening of schools for all classes, including kindergarten, in the State from March 1.

According to an education department notification, attendance will not be enforced and will depend entirely on the consent of parents.

School authorities have also been given the liberty to either resume offline teaching or continue with online classes, it said.

Before reopening, the school management committees will have to consult parents and other stakeholders, including district health officers and local communities.

The schools have been empowered to close down physical classes in consultation with the health authorities if any COVID-19 case is reported.

The government recommended that a “blended approach” may be adopted under which there will be three days of physical classes and three days of home assignments.

It further said that if a school is conducting online classes and students prefer to attend these classes instead of coming to school, such students may be allowed to attend online classes.

A total of 13,961 people were infected with the deadly virus in the State during the past 10 months and 148 lost their lives.