Bhubaneswar: Amid COVID pandemic, the primary schools and upper primary schools in Odisha are likely to reopen in last week of February this year. In this regard, the process for reopening the elementary and upper primary schools has begun, an official source in the State School & Mass Education Department said. As the teachers have been asked to visit the campus regularly during school hours and staff have been directed to disinfect the school campus, it is assumed that the schools will reopen shortly. Though, the exact date has not been finalised, the School & Mass Education Department is planning to reopen the schools on February 22 or 23 after Saraswati Puja, the source said. In view of it, an SOP is being prepared for conducting classes from Class I to Class VIII. Meanwhile, the high schools, higher secondary schools and degree colleges and anganwadi centres have already reopened in the State. Following reopening of educational institutions in phases, the department authorities are reportedly holding meetings and discussing with educationists, guardians and school authorities for reopening of primary and UP schools. As the Anganwadi centres have already reopened, the department is focusing on primary schools. The classes have been affected in last 11 months due to closure of schools during COVID pandemic. As the infection rate has declined across the State, the decision has been taken to resume the classes amid restriction. However, it will be a challenge for us to conduct classes in a single campus by adhering to COVID-19 norms. To address the issue, an SOP is being prepared for smooth functioning of classes for all students, official source said. According to source, the classes will be held for four hours instead of regular schedule of 10.00 AM-4.00 PM. The students of four classes will be allotted a particular time slot to visit the campus to avoid crowding. The school hours may be changed. Instead of 10.00 AM, the classes may be held from 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM and the teachers will take classes on a rotating basis.