NEW DELHI: Schools in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim will reopen starting the day after being closed for almost 7 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, only schools that are outside of the containment zones can reopen as of October 19 for students in classes 9-12.
Schools in these three states will open in strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocol, including limiting class attendance to 50 percent per day for the sake of social distancing.
Schools resuming classes starting today must strictly adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) established by the Union ministries of education and health, as well as protocols established by the state.
Uttar Pradesh:
According to the order of the state government, schools in Uttar Pradesh will partially reopen only for students in classes 9 to 12. Students will be allowed to go to school with parental consent.
Classes will take place in shifts and schools will need to follow all necessary protocols, including social distancing and proper sanitation of facilities.
50 percent of students should be called in all classes one day and the remaining 50 percent the next day. However, no student will be forced to attend school.
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Punjab:
As in Uttar pradesh, Punjab will also resume classes for students in classes 9 to 12. Only schools in non-containment areas in the state will open from today (October 19). Schools will be open three hours a day and only students in classes 9 to 12 will be allowed in to take physical classes.
However, online learning classes will continue to be the preferred mode of instruction and attendance by all students will not be required. Students may attend physical classes only with the written consent of the parents.
Parents will be required to ensure that their ward wears a mask at school. In addition, they should also make their children aware that they should not exchange the masks with other people.
If the strength of the students is great in the school and the norms of social distancing cannot be maintained, in that case, the principal or the management of the school can make a decision on whether to run the classes in two shifts or to call the students on alternate days, at their own level.
Sikkim:
Schools will open today in Sikkim in a phased manner. Winter break will be eliminated entirely this year, and classes will be held six days a week, with Saturday being noon. However, all notified government holidays will apply.
The current academic session will conclude on February 13, 2021 and the next one will begin two days later, on February 15.
The state education department has prepared a schedule, according to which the institutes will have to make certain arrangements before reopening, such as collecting the contact details of all parents and ensuring proper hygiene on campus.
According to the calendar, students in classes 11 and 12 will be able to attend schools on a voluntary basis from October 19, but each of them must carry a written permission from their parents or guardian.
Similarly, classes 6-8 will resume on November 2 and classes 3, 4 and 5 on November 23, all on a voluntary basis and subject to the COVID-19 situation in effect at that time.
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