The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday decided to revoke its order of opening schools from November 16 for classes 9-12, saying that they will continue to remain closed. The move comes days after the authorities sought views of parents regarding the same.

The government also clarified that colleges and universities will open from December 2 only for research scholars and final year postgraduate students of science and technology streams, diverging from its earlier schedule to start from November 16.

In an official statement, it said, “"The opening of colleges for all other courses will be announced later.” Hostels will open for only those students who will resume studies from next month, it added.

Revealing the outcome of statewide consultations held with parents in private on November 9 regarding the resumption of classes for the current academic year, the government said that opinions were divided.

While parents of some students wanted the institutions to reopen, others were against it in view of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the release, the school education department analysed these opinions holistically and took the decision.

"The order on reopening schools from November 16 for classes 9-12 is cancelled. An announcement on reopening schools will be made later based on the situation," the government said after taking feedback from the parents.

Following Chief Minister K Palaniswami’s announcement on October 31 regarding the reopening of educational institutions, DMK president MK Stalin lashed out at the government for its ‘hasty’ move.

The Opposition leader said that a decision on this matter should be taken only in January 2021 after analysing the pandemic situation.

Till November 11, a total of 7,50,409 people in tamil Nadu had tested positive for Covid-19, with 18,655 active cases being recorded in the state. The death toll stood at 11,415, while 7,20,339 recovered from the disease.