The Union Ministry of Education published detailed guidelines on Monday for the reopening of schools and universities in the country. With Unlocking 5.0, the central government allowed schools and universities to restart on a limited basis, from October 15 to October 15. The states have the authority to decide whether they want to resume schools starting next week or not.
“States / UTs will prepare their own POE regarding health and safety precautions for reopening schools based on the POE to be issued by DoSEL, @EduMinOfIndia. States / UTs may adopt or adapt the POE based on context and requirements local, “education minister said.
Students can go to school, strictly on a voluntary basis. Students will need to obtain a consent form from their parents to visit the schools beginning Monday. However, students and teachers living in the containment zones cannot attend schools starting next week. “Students can attend schools only with the written consent of parents. There will be flexibility in the rules of attendance. Students can choose to take classes online instead of physically attending school,” said the Minister of Education.
Schools are encouraged to form task teams such as: emergency care support, support / response team, hygiene team with certain responsibilities. When planning seating arrangements, authorities must maintain social distancing. Schools are advised to follow staggered entry and exit times or separate entry and exit gates if possible.
All coronavirus preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, covering your face with a mask or hat, washing or sanitizing your hands must be strictly followed. Schools must organize and implement thorough cleaning and disinfection of all areas, furniture, equipment, stationery, storage, water tanks, kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, laboratories, libraries on campus. Thermal scanners to assess the body temperature of students and teachers are mandatory at the entrance of the school.
Schools can make an alternate calendar of activities for the entire year. Educational institutions can plan for changes in the academic calendar, especially breaks and exam schedules. The new plan may follow the Alternate Calendar guidelines prepared by NCERT. Teachers are advised to discuss the clear curriculum roadmap, modes of learning, and assessment dates with students. Divergent use of teaching resources is encouraged to maintain social distancing and other safety standards.
“There will be no assessments until 2-3 weeks after the school reopens. The use of #ICT and online learning will continue to be encouraged. The SOP also provides guidelines to ensure the emotional well-being of students and teachers with a referral to the #Manodarpan initiative, “added the minister.
To meet children’s nutritional requirements, states and union territories are encouraged to provide hot, cooked midday meals or their equivalent food security allowances to eligible children during school closings and summer vacation, said the Ministry of Education.
Schools and universities have been closed since mid-March, due to a national shutdown to curb COVID-19.
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