UP schools will reopen for classes 9 to 12 from October 19 | Photo Credit: Representative Image
Schools in Uttar Pradesh will reopen for classes of 9-12 students from all boards outside the containment zones from October 19. The state government has decided that classes will be held in shifts and all necessary protocols, including social distancing and proper disinfection of facilities, will need to be followed in schools.
Students in classes 9-12 will be allowed to attend classes only after obtaining written permission from their parents or guardians. Senior Deputy Minister Dinesh Sharma said in a statement that schools will resume with the physical presence of students starting next week and that schools will operate in shifts with 50 percent attendance each day. Classes 9 and 10 must attend classes on the first shift and classes for 11 and 12 will be held on the second shift.
According to the statement, seating arrangements between two students must be 6 feet apart. However, prior to reopening, schools will need to perform proper disinfection and this exercise is required before each shift on a regular basis. Schools should have available disinfectants, hand washing, thermal scanning, and arrangements for primary treatment.
In addition, the state government has also issued standard operating procedures for the reopening of schools in the state in which the use of face masks is mandatory for all teachers, students and workers. Deputy CM further said that directives have also been issued to continue and encourage online teaching. Priority should be given to calling the school for those students who do not have access to online instruction.
The SOPs published by the government of Uttar Pradesh are similar to those POE issued by the Ministry of Education on October 5, 2020. The Minister of Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, had said then that states and TUs can prepare their own SOPs regarding health and safety precautions for the reopening of schools based on the SOP that will be issued by the Ministry of Education.
