All educational institutions in Sikkim will reopen on September 6 for students of Classes IX, X, XI and XII on normal basis, but universities, colleges, coaching institutes and hostels would be allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their capacities from the same date onwards.

A circular issued by the state’s education department on Saturday, however, said schools would continue to remain shut for students from LKG to Class VIII.

“Online teaching and homeschooling being conducted presently through various platforms shall continue (for LKG-VIII students),” the circular added.

Institution heads have been directed to start preparations for the reopening of offline education from September 1. “The students should come to school only with written permission from their parents,” the circular said.

The order further said the institution heads would conduct semester tests, examinations, or any such assessments through online or any other mode according to the convenience of respective institutions.

“All Covid-19 protocols shall be observed scrupulously by all institutions,” it said.

All educational institutions in the state have been closed since April 12.

They were initially closed to enable all teaching and non-teaching staff above the age of 45 to take the Covid vaccine and were subsequently extended because of the surge in Covid infections during the second wave.