Highlights The schools across the national capital are preparing to welcome students, of certain classes, back on Monday. This is for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of educational institutes in March 2020. Schools in Delhi are preparing to welcome students of classes 10 and 12 back on Monday, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of educational institutes in March 2020. Staggered and shorter class hours, frequent sanitisation, and entry and exit through multiple gates are among various new ways adopted by schools in the national capital. The Delhi government has allowed all schools outside COVID-19 containment zones to reopen for classes 10 and 12 from January 18 in view of board exams. However, it made clear that physical attendance is not compulsory and students will attend schools only with the consent of parents.