Some states have allowed schools to partially reopen as of Monday after a gap of more than five months when the coronavirus pandemic forced authorities to close educational institutes across the country to contain the spread of the viral disease. The Center had allowed the partial reopening of schools in the fourth phase of the unlocking process and said that students in classes 9 and 12 can return on a purely voluntary basis.
The government also made it clear that it is not mandatory for educational institutions to resume schools from Monday. The government had asked states to accept the final call to resume classes amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Center has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for a partial reopening of schools for students in classes 9-12.
Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal have announced that they will not allow classes to resume from Monday.
Here’s what states have decided to reopen schools starting Monday:
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh schools will resume normal classes starting Monday for students in classes 9 to 12. The authorities have issued guidelines and students living outside the containment zones will be able to visit their schools on a voluntary basis to clarify their doubts. and receive guidance from their teachers. They would have to submit a written consent from their parents and guardians to their respective schools.
Assam
Secondary and upper secondary schools in Assam will reopen from Monday and will need to follow standard operating procedures issued by the department of secondary education to uphold social distancing rules and other precautionary measures against the viral outbreak. Beginning Monday, classes will resume for students in grades 9-12 for the next 15 days after which the situation will be reviewed.
While all public schools will begin operating, private school authorities have been asked to take a call on their own. Student attendance at schools is not compulsory. Parents and guardians must give their written consent after which students will be able to attend classes.
Bihar
Sanjay Kumar, Chief Secretary (Education), has clarified that according to MHA guidelines, all schools, universities and training institutes will be closed until September 30.
Patna District Magistrate Kumar Ravi has allowed schools outside of the containment zones to call 9-12 students who voluntarily wish to visit schools for academic guidance with the written consent of their tutors as of Monday.
Delhi
All schools in the capital will remain closed until October 5 in view of the increasing number of cases, the Delhi government said. He had previously said that he would allow seniors to attend schools if they needed guidance from their teachers. But now the government has made it clear that there will be no partial reopening of schools, not for any student.
“All public and private schools will be closed to all students until October 5. However, online teaching and learning activities will continue as usual, ”said an official order issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE). School principals are allowed to call in “staff based on the requirements for the smooth conduct of online classes or any other work,” he said.
Haryana
The School Education Directorate has directed all district education officials to ensure that SOPs are in place for the partial reopening of schools for students in classes 9-12 beginning Monday. In a letter, the department has asked all district education officials to make sure teachers get a Covid-19 test and download the Aarogya Setu app on their phones. Attendance is not compulsory and the student can go voluntarily to clear up any doubts related to their course.
“Students must bring the written consent of their parents before coming to school. Students will also need to undergo a thermal scan before entering school and wear face masks and comply with safety guidelines, ”the letter said.
Previously, the education department had held trial classes for board students at the government senior secondary school, Nigdhu, in Karnal and Bazidpur Saboli in Sonepat to check the feasibility of partially reopening the schools.
Jammu and Kashmir
The schools will reopen in the territory of the Union, however, the attendance of the students will be voluntary. Officials have said that schools will reopen with 50% staff and student attendance and student attendance will be based on written parental consent. Officials have also stated that all SOPs will be in place when schools reopen after such a long gap.
Only 50% of the staff will report every day until Class 8 and students in classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 can come to school voluntarily with 50% attendance. Officials have said parents can decide whether to allow their children to attend classes. The authorities have further stated that online classes and digital education activities will continue as usual.
Karnataka
The state government has prohibited students in classes 9-12 from visiting schools and colleges to meet with teachers amid the coronavirus pandemic. It said in a statement that the education department previously allowed students after Covid-19 cases in the state were reduced. However, as the pandemic continues to ravage the state, the state government felt it was unsafe to call students to universities or schools to meet teachers, he said.
Punjab
The Punjab government has allowed the opening of higher education institutions as of September 21 for PhDs and graduate students taking technical and professional courses that require experimental work. However, schools, colleges and training centers will remain closed in the states.
The guidelines were issued in accordance with the directives of the current phase of the coronavirus lockdown issued by the Union Ministry of the Interior (MHA). According to the orders, online distance learning will be allowed and encouraged, but schools, universities and training institutions will remain closed to students and regular classes.
Satish Chandra, special chief secretary (home), said in an official statement, said that 50 percent of teaching and non-teaching staff will be able to attend schools at the same time for online teaching / tele-counseling and related work in areas outside of containment. zones, only according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued on September 8 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Union.
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