<span style="color: #222222;">Manipur Education Minister Dr. Thokchom Radheshyam has said, the decision on reopening of classes from 21st of this month for students of 9th to 12th is yet to be taken up by the State Government. He said, several rounds of meetings and conferences are being held with stakeholders on the feasibility, criteria and steps that may be needed for school reopening. He was addressing a press conference in Imphal today.<br />'' <br />'' Dr. Radheshyam said, an SOP was issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services (EMR Division), Government of India – 'SOP for partial reopening of Schools for students of 9th to 12th classes on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers: In the context of COVID-19'.<br />'' <br />'' He said, the SOP is for partial reopening of Schools and not for regular classes. It is purely on a voluntary basis, that is, if the students of classes 9th to 12th are willing to go to school voluntarily and that there is no compulsion that students must attend school. The parents also have to give their consent in writing if their wards; children are willing to attend school.<br />'' <br />''<br />''The Minister reiterated that the decision on reopening of schools will be taken up in meeting with the Chief Minister and stakeholders' taking into account the current situation of COVID – 19 in the state. He added that until the State Government issues SOP for reopening of the schools in the state, no educational institutions and students' hostels are authorized to resume classes.</span>