The Assam government is planning to resume classes of X and XII students from June 1, by ensuring social distancing norms.

Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government had already asked the Centre to consider the plan in order to reduce further academic loss.

“We are thinking of resuming classes for X and XII students after the summer vacation. One section can be divided into three groups to ensure social distancing. Students of classes X and XII can attend three days each in a week, maintaining social distancing, in a bid to curb further academic loss because of Covid-19,” Sarma said.

The Assam government had announced summer vacations for educational institutions till May 31, with effect from May 1, instead of July, in a bid to reduce academic loss of students owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Sarma said as the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, has been invoked, the Centre will decide whether the state government can reopen educational institutions.

Students of classes X and XII will be able to collect their free textbooks from May 27 from their respective schools or colleges, by maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, the minister said.

Sarma also said that 3.5 lakh students downloaded the Diksha app during the lockdown.

He requested the students to subscribe to the Biswa Vidya Assam YouTube channel for online learning and schoolteachers in rural areas to teach students in courtyards from June 1, if the lockdown continues.

The minister also sought suggestions from the people on whether the state can shift to a April 1-March 31 academic calendar, instead of the existing January 1-December 31 schedule.

Classes in educational institutions across the state have remained suspended since mid-March owing to the novel coronavirus outbreak.