<span style="color: #222222;">In Gujarat, schools for class 6th to 8th will reopen from the 18th of this month. State Education Department issued an order yesterday in this regard.<br />''<br />''Secretary to Education Department, Dr. Vinod Rao said the decision has been taken in the interest of students but schools will have to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the government. He added that attendance in this offline education will be voluntary and the educational institution will have to get the prescribed consent form from the parents.<br />''<br />''The present system of online classes will continue for the students who do not join the offline classes. Mr Rao said instructions have been given to all the District Education Officers as well as Primary Education Officers to ensure that the schools comply with the SOP.</span><br />