G.O. (Ms) No.326
The Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department issued G.O. (Ms) No.326 on 20 March 2021, directing schools and hostels for Classes 9, 10 and 11 to close from 22 March 2021 until further orders because of increasing COVID-19 cases. It amends G.O. (Ms) No.318 dated 28 February 2021, while allowing online education and specified activities for Class 10 students of boards other than the Tamil Nadu State Board.
What the government order does
G.O. (Ms) No.326, issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department on 20 March 2021, adds a prohibited activity to G.O. (Ms) No.318 dated 28 February 2021. The amendment requires schools to close for Classes 9, 10 and 11 from 22 March 2021 until further orders.
The decision followed advice from the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. The Director referred to the increasing trend of COVID-19 cases and advised that continuing classes for students in Classes 9, 10 and 11 would not be advisable from a public health perspective.
Who is affected
G.O. (Ms) No.326 applies directly to schools, hostels and students in Classes 9, 10 and 11. School education authorities, district administrations and institutions responsible for implementing the closures are also affected.
The document concerns COVID-19 restrictions on education. It does not change land ownership, land classification, property registration, planning permission or other land administration arrangements.
Key provisions
G.O. (Ms) No.326 provides that:
- Schools must close for Classes 9, 10 and 11 from 22 March 2021 until further orders.
- Hostels for students in Classes 9, 10 and 11 must also close.
- Online and digital education may continue for Classes 9, 10 and 11.
- Class 10 board examinations conducted by boards other than the Tamil Nadu State Board may take place according to those boards' schedules.
- Special classes may be conducted for students appearing for those Class 10 board examinations.
- Hostels may function for students attending the permitted Class 10 board examinations and special classes.
Background to the restriction
G.O. (Ms) No.30 dated 13 January 2021 had permitted schools to function for Classes 10 and 12 from 19 January 2021. G.O. (Ms) No.84 dated 31 January 2021 later permitted schools to function for Classes 9 and 11 from 8 February 2021 and also permitted hostels for those students.
G.O. (Ms) No.326 reversed the permission to hold in-person classes for Classes 9, 10 and 11 because of the reported increase in COVID-19 cases. The closure was stated to continue until further orders.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms) No.326 affect my land or property rights?
No land or property provisions appear in the document. It deals with COVID-19 closures of schools and hostels for Classes 9, 10 and 11.
When were schools required to close under G.O. (Ms) No.326?
Schools and hostels for Classes 9, 10 and 11 were required to close from 22 March 2021 until further orders.
Could students in Classes 9, 10 and 11 continue studying online?
Yes. G.O. (Ms) No.326 expressly allows online and digital education to continue for Classes 9, 10 and 11.
Were any Class 10 examinations still allowed?
Yes. Boards other than the Tamil Nadu State Board could conduct their Class 10 board examinations as scheduled. Special classes and hostel facilities were also allowed for students appearing for those examinations.
