The country’s schools are set to open their doors to students starting Monday, after a gap of more than five months. Under Unlocking 4, the central government has allowed states to reopen schools as of September 21. However, states have the authority to decide whether they want to resume schools as of September 21 or not. Citing the high number of coronavirus cases, many states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, have announced that they will not resume classes from Monday.
Few states like Assam, Karnataka will open schools starting next week. According to the Unlock 4 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home and Family Affairs, schools can open with 50% teaching and non-teaching materials. Students in classes 9 to 12 can go to school, strictly on a voluntary basis. Students will need to obtain a consent form from their parents to visit the schools beginning Monday. However, students and teachers living in the containment zones cannot attend schools starting next week. All coronavirus preventive measures must be strictly followed, such as maintaining social distancing, covering the face with a mask or hat, washing or sanitizing hands. Thermal scanners to assess the body temperature of students and teachers are mandatory at the entrance of the school. Schools have been advised to have different entry and exit doors if possible. The ministry has stated that schools must ensure that virtual classes continue during the period.
These are the states that are opening schools
The Assam government previously said that classes will resume for students between classes 9 and 12 starting Monday. The government will review the situation after 15 days. The Haryana government said students can visit their schools if they need guidance, but the schools will remain closed. Schools will reopen from Monday in Himachal Pradesh. The Karnataka government has also agreed to partially reopen the schools starting next week. Only seniors can come to schools if they need guidance. In Chandigarh, schools will partially resume from Monday. Only 15 students can sit in a classroom. Students will be allowed to come in batches of two hours each, with an hour and a half interval between them to sanitize the classes.
The Delhi government previously announced that schools in the capital will remain closed until October 5. Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, West Bengal previously announced that it will not resume classes starting next week.
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