SCHOOLS TO REOPEN ON OCTOBER 15; CENTRE ISSUES STRICT GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL AND PARENTS 

Under Unlock 5.0, the Central government has allowed schools and colleges to restart in a limited manner, which will begin from October 15. Keeping in mind the COVID-19 measures, the union ministry of education released detailed guidelines for reopening schools and colleges across India.

Meanwhile, the states have the authority to decide whether they want to resume schools starting next week or not. "Checklist for a safe school environment, as adopted from @UNICEFIndia guideline is provided for schools parents and students to contain the spread of #COVID19," the education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said.

Below are few measures where the school needs to keep in mind to ensure proper hygiene is maintained.

- Arrange for thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all areas in the school campus and ensure air flow in indoor space. 

- Schools must arrange and implement thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all areas, furniture, equipment, stationary, storage, water tanks, kitchens, canteens, washrooms, laboratories, libraries on the campus. Thermal scanners for screening the body temperature of students and teachers are mandatory at the school entrance. 

- Schools may make their own SOPs. Measures such as maintaining social distance, covering face with a mask or cover, washing or sanitizing hands need to be strictly followed.

- Physical distancing to be ensured while planning the seating plan, staggering entry and exit timings.

- Wearing a mask during the class.

- Sensitise students, parents, teachers, community members and hostel staff.

- Plan for academic calendar changes for all classes.

- Ensure availability of a full-time trained health care attendant/nurse/doctor.

- Flexible attendance and sick leave policies for both students and staff.

- No assessment till up to 2-3 weeks of school reopening. 

“Use of ICT & online learning shall continue to be encouraged. The SOP also provides for guidelines on ensuring emotion well being of students and teachers with a reference drawn to Manodarpan initiative,” education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said.

- Students are permitted to go to school — strictly on a voluntary basis.  

“Students may attend schools only with the written consent of parents. There will be flexibility in attendance norms. Students may opt for online classes rather than physically attend school,” the minister added. 

Owing to a nationwide lockdown to curb COVID-19, the schools and colleges have been shut since mid-March.

Here are the highlights:

As per para -1 of @HMOIndia's order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 30.09.2020 for reopening, States/UT Governments may take a decision in respect of reopening of schools and coaching institutions after 15th Oct in a graded manner. #SchoolGuidelines pic.twitter.com/JLfJ97qJsF

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) October 5, 2020