Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 8
The partial reopening of schools will begin on September 21 and the government will issue related standard operating procedures on Tuesday to ensure the safety of students visiting schools in the next stage of unlocking COVID-19.
Partial reopening will only be allowed for students in classes 9-12 on a voluntary basis if they wish to visit schools for personalized guidance from teachers. Any student from the specified classes visiting the school on or after September 21 would need parental written consent to do so and the mandatory physical distance of 6 feet would be maintained at the schools at all times.
“The government is following an unblocking of activities in phases. In the coming days, this would also imply the partial resumption of activities in schools for students in classes 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis, to receive guidance from their teachers. This would be allowed as of September 21, 2020 ”, said the Ministry of Health when issuing the procedures for opening safety standards today.
Generic safety measures include: physical distance of at least 6 feet; preferable outdoor interactions of students and teachers; use of face covers and; frequent hand washing with soap, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers; respiratory label.
The ministry said that all schools with classes 11-12 will continue to secure, enable and encourage online learning even when a partial reopening occurs.
“Students in classes 9-12 will be allowed to visit their school on a voluntary basis to receive guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to the written consent of your parents and guardians. Such visits and interaction between teachers and students should be organized in a staggered manner, ”the SOP said.
Only schools outside of the buffer zones will be allowed to open, and students, teachers, and employees living in buffer zones will not be allowed to attend school.
Disinfection of all work areas in schools has been made mandatory before buildings open and when they open, teaching and non-teaching employees (up to 50 pc) can be called to schools for online teaching.
“Students from 9th to 12th grade will have the option of attending classes virtually or physically only on a voluntary basis. The disorder and the canteens are not open yet, ”said the SOPs.
