Govt Allows Schools To Reopen For Class 9-12; But Not Compulsory? Precautions For Students?

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare tweeted a major announcement, late in the evening yesterday.

In a standard operating procedure (SOP) released by the Health Ministry recently, the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, it has instructed that schools will be reopened for students from 9th to 12th grades, on a partial basis.

This is set to begin from September 21, 2020.

What is ‘Partial Reopening’ of Schools?

The Government of India has announced partial reopening of schools for students of classes 9th to 12th on a voluntary basis so that they can attend schools for taking guidance from their teachers.

This partial reopening of schools will roll out from 21st September 2020. 

The 5-paged SOP released by the Health Ministry lists down descriptive and a cautionary measures, which must be adopted by school authorities before reopening the schools for those children (in the aforementioned range) who wish to occasionally visit their concerned faculties in schools.

“All States/UTs are expected to comply with the COVID-19 related guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.”

List of Compulsory Preventive Measures to be Adopted by Schools

The Health Ministry in its SOP has listed the complete scope and precautionary measures for the safety of everyone in the school campus, in a very composed, detailed and scannable manner.

Let’s start with the compulsory measures it has documented.

• Physical distancing of at least 6 feet between chairs, desks etc.
• Mandatory use of face masks for all (staff and students)
• Hand-wash frequently for at-least 40-60 seconds
• Compulsory use of  alcohol-based hand sanitizers, every now and then
• Respiratory etiquettes to be followed strictly, which involves proper coughing, sneezing and disposal of tissue etiquettes.
• Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest
• No spitting allowed
• Use of Aarogya Setu app.

Compulsory Update for Concerned Students

• The main agenda of this ‘partial reopening’ defines that online/distance learning will be allowed and encouraged.
• Students (9th-12th) who wish to visit schools for guidance must submit a written consent from their parents/guardians.

Steps to Follow Before Reopening Schools

As mentioned above, the SOP contains detailed sets of every step containing safety measures, for the best interests of staff and students.

• Only schools outside containment zones will be allowed to operate, while no staff or student living in a containment zone will be allowed in school. 
• All work areas, like laboratories or teaching/demonstration areas or equipments, or common utility areas, everything will be sanitized with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution.
• Schools to properly be sanitized and deep cleaned.
• Arrangement for contactless attendance will be made, rather than biometric attendance.
• Strict attention will be paid while making queues,  inside and outside the premises, by specific markings abiding proper social distancing.
• Assemblies, sports and events leading to overcrowding are strictly prohibited.
• For AC device usage, maintain temperature between  24-30 degree C, while  relative humidity of 40-70%.
• Pulse oximeter to check oxygen saturation levels of any symptomatic person must be arranged.
• Provision for proper disposal of used personal protective items

Steps to Follow After Schools Reopen

• Mandatory sanitisation and thermal screening provisions at the entrance, or multiple entry/exit gates, if possible.
• Only asymptomatic people allowed on campus
• Posters or banners on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed
• Entry of visitors to be strictly prohibited/regulated.
• Sharing of items like notebook, pens/pencil, etc between students, to be strictly prohibited.
• Ensure a floor area of 4m2 per person for using equipments in labs
• Cafeteria/mess facility to be closed

There are a list of more measures that one must make sure to completely be well-versed with, if he/she plans to go to school. 

You can find the complete 5-paged SOP here.