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Government issues SOP for reopening schools from September 21

The ministry of health and family welfare issued detailed guidelines for reopening of schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis starting September 21.

Government issues SOP for reopening schools from September 21
SHARES

On Tuesday, September 8, the ministry of health and family welfare issued detailed guidelines for reopening of schools for students of classes 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis starting September 21.

The coronavirus-induced lockdown, which has been going on for the last four to five months, had brought schools, railways and other important institutions to a standstill. However, various services are resuming operations slowly. The students will be allowed to go to school in order to seek guidance from their teachers, however, will also require a letter of parental permission.

Even though the Center has given permission for 9th to 12th class students to resume school, it is unclear as of now as to how many states will accept the decision. The states of Delhi, Haryana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have shown readiness to start schools. However, in Maharashtra, the decision is in the hands of the state government. Therefore, it is not clear whether schools will resume in Maharashtra or not.

Moreover, it is mandatory for the schools to follow the rules mentioned below.

  • Schools other than the ones in the containment zones will be allowed to open. Therefore, students and teachers living in the containment zone will not be allowed to go to school.
  • Before initiating any activity in schools, it should be sanitized with 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution in the classrooms, laboratories and other areas.
  • Frequent sanitization should be done on the areas that are constantly being touched.
  • Education and non-teaching staff (up to 50 per cent) will be called for online teaching or tele-counselling or other activities in schools.
  • It will be mandatory for teachers and students to observe social distancing at all times.
  • There should be a distance of at least 6 feet between two people, so seating in schools should be arranged in a way to keep that in mind.

Furthermore, the ministry has suggested that rather than closed classrooms, the schools should utilise open spaces outdoors for student-teacher interaction if the weather allows. Mess and canteens inside the schools are to remain closed. Moreover, there would be no assembly, sports or events which could lead to overcrowding, risking the spread of the disease.

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