With COVID-19 cases rising among students in various schools and colleges, Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh said the government will not backtrack from stopping exams and schools if situation arises.

He, however, maintained that the experts were of the opinion that there was no problem in holding regular off-line classes. We will not backtrack if a need arises to stop exams and schools. However, in the present situation, all the experts are of the opinion that there is no problem,” Nagesh told reporters.

If required we will stop exams. However, the Standard Operating Procedure is maintained very strictly in the exams because we make sitting arrangements maintaining physical distance,” Nagesh said.

The Minister asked people not to panic as it will impact the academic activities of children. There is no need for people to panic because this year we started regular schools after a year of lockdown. In case schools are shut again then it will be difficult to bring back children to the classes,” Nagesh said.