Adimulapu Suresh, the Andhra Pradesh Minister of Education, has dismissed rumours that the Sankranti holidays may be extended for educational institutions in the state.

On January 17, 2022, he underlined the AP State Government's continued concern for students' health in relation to COVID-19 regulations, while emphasising the importance of their educational growth. Despite a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state, schools across Andhra Pradesh are expected to reopen today.

The majority of parents agree that schools should implement online classes right now and that the state government should not pressure institutions to hold offline programmes, while the majority believe that extending the Sankranti vacation and doing online sessions would benefit their children more.

Some argue that this should be followed by all schools in Andhra Pradesh, regardless of the state government's directives.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh as of January 16, 2022 is 26,770. The positive rate has jumped from 1.64 percent to 13.89 percent in the last 10 days, with a multifold increase in COVID-19 instances.

On 15 January 2022, the daily increase in COVID-19 instances was recorded to be 4,955, the highest in the last 205 days. 

The district of Visakhapatnam recorded 1,028 COVID-19 cases, second only to Chittoor (1,124). The state government of Andhra Pradesh plans to implement a night curfew on January 18, 2022. COVID-19 norms will be enforced in temples, educational institutions, and government offices, among other places. Given the situation, parents believe that reopening schools in Vizag is not encouraged.

By Yashaswini