Schools To Reopen From October 15: Full List Of Govt Rules For School, Colleges Reopening Across India

The danger of COVID-19 hasn’t subsided yet, but there gradually the country is getting back to its pre-lockdown stage. While almost everything in the country has restarted, schools weren’t reopened due to the obvious threat.

But now schools will be reopening from October 15, and the Union Ministry of Education has released a set of guidelines for the reopening of schools.

Let’s find out what guidelines have been set right here!

Schools To Reopen on October 15; Union Minister Of Education Issues Guidelines

The Union Ministry of Education has now released a set of guidelines for schools that will be reopened on October 15th. As per reports the authority of deciding to reopen schools from the next week will be given to the states. 

The education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said, “Checklist for a safe school environment, as adopted from @UNICEFIndia guideline is provided for schools parents and students to contain the spread of #COVID19.”

As per reports, students have been allowed to go to school voluntarily; they will have to get a consent slip from their parents in order to visit from next. Students and teachers home live in the containment zones will not be allowed to attend their school. The attendance norms will be flexible. 

He said, “”States/UTs to prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precaution for reopening of schools based on the SOP to be issued by DoSEL, @EduMinOfIndia. States/UTs may adopt or adapt the SOP as per local context and requirements.” 

All Preventive Measures Will Need To Be Followed; Thermal Scanners At Entrance Mandatory

Additionally, schools have been suggested to employ task teams that will be shouldering specific responsibilities, such as emergency care support, support/response team, hygiene team. The authorities have also asked schools to maintain social distancing rules especially wine planning the seating arrangements. They have been advised to follow a phased entry and exit timings and separate gates for entry and exit if possible.

Also all the preventive measures of coronavirus to maintain hygiene will have to be followed such as maintaining a safe social distance covering the face with a mask or recover washing her sanitizing hands etc. 

Schools will also be required to make sure that conducting the cleaning and disinfecting off all the areas in the school such as furniture, equipment, stationary, storage, water tanks, kitchens, canteens, washrooms, laboratories, libraries on the campus, etc. 

Also, thermal scanners will be compulsorily installed at the entrance point of the school for screening the body temperature of students and teachers.

Alternative Calendars To Be Created; Divergent Teaching Method To Be Used; Mid-Day Meal For Students

Schools will also be permitted to create an alternative calendar for all the activities of the whole year. Educational institutions will be able to plan the changes in the academic calendar, especially the breaks and the examination timetables. There is a possibility that the new plans will follow the guidelines issued by Alternative Calendar prepared by the NCERT.

Additionally, teachers have been suggested to discuss the outline of the curriculum with the students along with the modes of learning and the dates of assessment. 

Also, teachers have been suggested to use divergent use of teaching resources so that social distancing and other safety norms are being ensured.

The Minister also said, “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.”

The guidelines by PRAGYATA on online education can be used to orient students and teachers as well. The ministry has said that if the state has energised textbooks, parents and students will be taught how to download the e-content.

Not only this, the states and union territories have also been asked to provide hot cooked mid-day meal or its equivalent food security allowances to eligible children, when the schools are closed and summer vacations as well. This has been done to ensure that the nutritional requirements of children are met.