Unlock5: Attendance must depend entirely on parental consent, said Center (Representative)
New Delhi:
States and Union territories can decide whether they want to reopen schools, colleges and training institutes after October 15 in a phased manner, the government said today in its latest “Unlock5” announcement amid the coronavirus pandemic. “The decision will be made in consultation with the leadership of the respective school / institution, based on their assessment of the situation,” the Interior Ministry said.
However, the government said that online and distance learning should remain the preferred mode of teaching. “When schools run classes online and some students prefer to attend classes online rather than physically attend school, they may be allowed to do so,” the government said. “Students can attend schools / institutions only with the written consent of their parents,” he said.
Attendance must not be enforced and must be entirely dependent on parental consent, and states and Union territories will make their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) on health and safety precautions before reopening schools and universities.
“The schools that are allowed to open, must compulsorily follow the SOP that will be issued by the State Departments of Education / UT. The Department of Higher Education (DHE) and the Ministry of Education can make a decision on the moment of opening of universities / institutions of higher education, in consultation with the Ministry of the Interior (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online / distance learning will continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and will be encouraged, “said the government.
However, higher education institutions only for research academics (PhD) and graduate students in the science and technology stream that require laboratory and experimental work will be able to open as of October 15. “For centrally funded institutions of higher education, the director himself / herself that there is a genuine requirement of academic researchers (PhDs) and science and technology graduate students for laboratory / experimental work,” the government said.
“For all other higher education institutions, for example, state universities, private universities, etc., they can be opened only for academic researchers (doctorates) and graduate students in science and technology that require laboratory / experimental work depending on the decision that should take the respective state / UT governments, “said the center.
India’s COVID-19 count crossed the 62 lakh mark with 80,472 new coronavirus cases and 1,179 deaths reported on Wednesday, according to data from the Health Ministry. For the first time in 28 days, coronavirus deaths over a one-day period have fallen below 1,000, government data shows.
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