Assam School, College Reopening Updates | Photo credit: iStock Images
Schools and universities will reopen for students in Assam from November 2, 2020. Assam’s Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the school and university reopening dates for the state. The schools, however, would only open for students in classes 6-12. New guidelines for the reopening of schools and colleges will also be released at a later date.
Regarding the reopening of schools for kindergarten classes at 5, no decision has been made. Sarma has stated that all other classes will remain suspended until further notice. Schools should design staggered calendars for all classes from 6 to 12. As for universities and colleges, they would be allowed to reopen according to the guidelines issued.
the The state had allowed schools to reopen to allow students wishing to visit the school beginning September 21.. Students in classes 9-12 were allowed to visit the school on a voluntary basis. With the MHA allowing schools to reopen beginning October 15 and removing the restriction on allowed classes, states are now free to reopen schools.
However, according to the Unlock 5.0 guidelines, attendance is not mandatory. Additionally, students would need parental consent to attend school. Review of Unlocking Guidelines 5.0 may remove the clause. Currently, the country’s schools will reopen under strict guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.
Also, for universities, only graduate universities can resume classes for those courses that require research / laboratory work. Permission for professional / technical courses has also been granted. Unlock 5.0 does not allow the reopening of colleges for arts / commerce classes.
Assam guidelines for the reopening of schools and universities are expected and will be shared soon. The other states that have allowed schools to reopen in the country include Meghalaya, Mizoram, Punjab. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra, West Bengal, some of the worst affected states, have yet to announce any reopening dates for schools. A decision is expected only after Diwali for these states.
