Updated: November 5, 2020 10:43:43 pm
The number of students attending classes on campus at any one time should not be more than half of the total student strength. (Image for representation)
Universities across the country have been closed since mid-March, even before the coronavirus lockdown was imposed. On Thursday, the University Scholarship Commission issued guidelines for its reopening. We explain how and when students will return to colleges and universities:
When will universities and colleges reopen?
The Union government had allowed the reopening of schools and higher education institutions in phases after October 15, depending on the local situation. Each state had to decide individually when and how to reopen.
In most states, the gradual reopening began with schools. However, in the past few days, ads have been leaking for college and university students to return.
The governments of Punjab and Haryana, for example, have allowed universities and colleges to hold face-to-face classes after Diwali, starting on November 16.
West Bengal’s education minister, Partha Chatterjee, has asked the state’s higher education institutions to plan classes in December. In the case of universities managed by the government of the Union, it is up to the head of each institution to make a decision on reopening, based on “the viability of opening physical classes.
Who goes back to college first?
While the Union government’s guidelines on reopening schools had left much to the discretion of the states, the UGC is more specific in its instructions.
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The higher education regulator wants universities and colleges to recruit researchers, graduate students in science and technology programs, and undergraduate seniors (for placement purposes). However, the number of students attending classes on campus, at any one time, should not be more than half of the total student strength, the guidelines establish.
The remaining students will be encouraged to continue learning online, but may visit their departments in smaller groups, by appointment, to consult with faculty members.
What is the Center’s assistance stand?
While the Ministry of Education has taken a clear position on not making attendance mandatory for school students, there are no clear instructions in the UGC guidelines. It just says, “Some students may choose not to attend classes and prefer to study online while staying at home. Institutions can provide online study materials and access to electronic resources to such students for teaching and learning. “
“Institutions must have a plan in place for international students who were unable to join the program due to international travel restrictions or visa-related problems. Online teaching-learning arrangements must also be made for them, ”the guidelines state.
What would college and university life be like in the midst of the pandemic?
In addition to standard precautions, such as regular disinfection of institution facilities and evaluating the temperature of teachers and students on campus, institutions of higher education will end up open for longer hours six days a week to accommodate students in batches and ensure social distancing.
Wearing a mask is mandatory for all teachers and staff on campus. A class will be divided into several sections, with each section attending face-to-face lessons on a rotating basis. “Visitors should not be allowed at all or their entry should be severely restricted,” the guidelines state.
Cultural activities and meetings will be avoided. However, extracurricular and sports activities may be allowed where physical distancing is possible.
UGC guidelines discourage reopening of shelters. If it has to be done, room sharing will not be allowed, which means that not all hostellers will be allowed to return to campus. Institutions will have to prioritize the return of a few based on some criteria and the 14-day quarantine for returning students will be mandatory. Students with symptoms of COVID19 cannot stay in shelters. “Resident students and staff should avoid or limit visits to markets. To the extent possible, essential items may be available on campus, ”said UGC in its guidelines.
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In the event that a student or faculty member living on campus tests positive for COVID19, UGC has advised institutions to immediately isolate the patient. “Universities and colleges must have a plan in place to provide health care support to resident students and staff who test positive and are isolated.”
“The guidelines that restrict social and physical contacts and mobility in those parts of the residential places on campus, where positive cases have been found, must be strictly enforced. Measures such as not having class, not leaving the rooms for the hostesses, if applicable, not bringing food to take away from the disorder, etc., can be applied, depending on the severity of the situation ”, the guidelines state.
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