Punjab said the safety of students will be the government’s top priority. (Proceedings)
Chandigarh:
Schools in Punjab outside of the containment zones will reopen from Monday for classes 9-12, the state government said on Thursday. Punjab School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said that since the home department has issued guidelines for the reopening of schools in areas outside of the containment zones, the school education department has also issued standard operating procedures or SOPs. to ensure the safety of students.
He said detailed guidelines on reopening schools have also been sent to district education officials and school authorities for accurate implementation while still allowing students to attend physical classes.
Singla said that after the schools reopen, student safety will be his government’s top priority and a special team of education department officials will be formed to implement SOPs in schools.
He said that although schools were being reopened, online and distance learning programs will continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and attendance by all students will not be mandatory.
“As schools are already conducting classes online and some students prefer to attend classes online rather than physically attending school, they may be allowed to do so. Students may attend physical classes only with the written consent of the students. parents “said the minister.
Mr. Singla said that parents should also ensure that their children who go to school wear a mask and let them know that they should not exchange masks with other people.
He added that parents should also encourage their children to wear full-sleeved clothing to minimize interaction with any public surface.
Schools and universities have been closed since March, when the country entered a lockdown to control the spread of the coronavirus.
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