School year to begin with distance education on August 31, schools to reopen on September 21

Photo: AA

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Turkey will reopen schools on September 21 with measures in place to counter the coronavirus, Minister of National Education Ziya Selçuk announced yesterday (August 12).

He said in a news conference that students will return to the campus gradually and in phases.

The minister said classrooms will be arranged in accordance with social distancing rules and schools provided with disinfectants and masks.

The continuation of face-to-face classes depended on how responsibly families and students behaved, he noted.

According to Selçuk, swift measures will be taken if students' families or nearby circles are diagnosed with coronavirus.

Over 2,000 inspectors have been checking standards of schools ahead of the planned reopening.

The new school year will commence nationwide on August 31 with classes held remotely. Private schools may start online classes from August 17.

Schools across the country were closed in mid-March as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Turkey has so far reported over 244,000 coronavirus cases and above 227,000 recoveries. The death toll stands at 5,891. (EKN/VK)