During the COVID-19 pandemic, crores of children and adolescents are negatively affected across various domains of their health and development [1]. With prolonged school closures, the educational void is increasing day by day and education is probably suffering the most [2]. An Indian survey study on more than 16000 students across five states has shown that, about 92% and 82% children have declined in (at least one) mathematical and linguistic abilities, respectively [3]. Another survey study conducted across 15 States revealed the gross failure of online learning methodology to reach out to all the students. Only 24% students from urban area and 8% from rural area are reported to study online regularly; 37% rural children are completely out of the education stream [4]. Children are homebound for more than 17 months now. Consequently, they are displaying significant physical and psychosocial health issues [1]. Reopening of the schools and bringing back normalcy in their lives is eagerly awaited.

It has been amply proved that more than half of the children infected with COVID -19 are either asymptomatic or develop mild form of the disease [5]. There are studies to prove that schools do not act as major sources of viral transmission [6]. Outbreaks have been reported where the mitigation measures were not strictly adhered to [7].

The latest body of research on COVID-19, particularly in children, and the advent and the availability of the vaccines, are scientifically favorable factors for relaxing the social restrictions imposed on children. But the horrific experiences during the second wave are unforgettable and act as a big barrier when there is any attempt to bring the children back to schools. The Government authorities, the school administrators, as well as the parents appear to be in a state of dilemma and confusion. The decision for school reopening therefore, needs to be taken meti-culously and with scientific evidences.

To address the issues of schooling during the pandemic, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) had framed recommendations on ‘School Reopening, Remote Learning and Curriculum during and after COVID-19 Pandemic’, in October, 2020 [8]. We, herein, provide an update to these guidelines.

Funding: None; Competing interests: None stated.

Contributors: All authors were part of the IAP Task Force on School Reopening, 2021, that formulated these guidelines. PG, GVB, BJP and SG conceived the guidelines, prepared the agenda, and executed administratively. PG led the discussions and all the members actively participated. DS, RR, SSK, SZ, GVB contributed on the epidemiological aspects. ND and VMV contributed on the vaccination issues. SG and SZ reviewed the literature. SG and SZ wrote the first draft. ND and AP suggested edits. RKT and PG did the final edits. All the authors approved the final recommendations of the guidelines.