Guwahati: The Assam government has left the decision on reopening schools in flood-affected districts to the respective district administrations, with Education Minister Ranoj Pegu saying that classes will resume only where conditions are considered safe.
Schools across Assam are scheduled to reopen after the summer vacation on August 1, but districts affected by the recent floods will make independent decisions after assessing the ground situation.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pegu said the Education Department has already consulted Deputy Commissioners (DCs) from all districts and sought detailed reports on the condition of educational institutions impacted by the floods, particularly in Upper Assam.
The minister said initial assessments indicate that only a small number of schools are currently ready to resume academic activities, while the majority of schools and even several colleges remain unsuitable for reopening due to the damage and disruption caused by the floods.
He emphasized that the responsibility for taking a final call lies with the district administrations, as disaster management decisions fall under their jurisdiction. Deputy Commissioners will evaluate local conditions, including the safety of school buildings, accessibility and overall preparedness, before issuing reopening orders.
According to Pegu, the Education Department has provided the necessary inputs to district authorities but has deliberately left the final decision to them, allowing each district to respond according to its own circumstances.
The move comes as several parts of Assam continue to recover from recent flooding, which disrupted normal life and affected educational infrastructure in multiple districts.
While schools in areas unaffected by the floods are expected to reopen as scheduled on August 1, students in the worst-hit districts may have to wait until local authorities confirm that campuses are safe for academic activities.
