Guwahati: Days after the Centre announced the partial reopening of schools as a part of its 'Unlock 4' directive, the union health ministry on Tuesday issued guidelines for school operations amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the initial phase, only schools outside the containment zones will be allowed to open. Further, students, teachers, and employees living in containment zones will not be allowed to attend school. Students, teachers, and employees shall also be advised not to visit areas falling within containment zones as per the health ministry guidelines.
Activities such as assemblies, sports, and events, which can lead to overcrowding, are strictly prohibited in the schools. The government in its guidelines also said that online or distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
"Students of class 9th to 12th shall be permitted to visit their school on a voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to the written consent of their parents/guardians. Such visits and teacher-student interaction must be organized in a staggered manner," state the standard operation procedures (SOPs) issued by the health ministry.
The guidelines further added that the schools that were used as quarantine centers will be properly sanitized and deep cleaned before partial functioning is resumed.
During the initial phase, only asymptomatic people (teachers, employees, and students) will be allowed on the school premises as per the guidelines. If a teacher/employee/student is found to be symptomatic, he/she should be referred to the nearest health center.
The guidelines stated that the concerned teaching- and non-teaching employees (up to 50 % of the strength) may be called to schools for online teaching/tele-counseling and related work.
Apart from mandatory masks, following regular sanitization, respiratory etiquettes, hand washing in schools, the health ministry said that at all times, the teachers and students shall maintain a physical distancing of 6 feet apart, wherever feasible. The seating arrangement has to ensure a distance of 6 feet between chairs, desks, etc, the guidelines further stated.
Outdoor spaces may be utilized for conducting teacher-student interactions, keeping in view the safety and security of students and physical distancing protocols, the health minister added.
Additionally, the cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, chairs, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) has to be made Page 5 of 5 mandatory in all classrooms, laboratories, lockers, parking areas, other common areas etc. before the beginning of classes and at the end of the day.
The health ministry has said that the schools should ensure regular counseling is done for students and teachers reporting mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday also issued a set of guidelines ahead of the resumption of activities in skill or entrepreneurship training institutions, higher educational institutions conducting doctoral courses, and postgraduate studies in technical and professional programs requiring laboratory or experimental work.
The SOP aims to "enable safe resumption of teaching or training activities in skill or entrepreneurship training institutions, higher educational institutions conducting doctoral courses, and post-graduate studies in technical and professional programs requiring laboratory or experimental work."
As far as skill or entrepreneurship training is concerned the same shall be permitted in national skill training institutes, industrial training institutes, short term training centres registered with National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of Government of India or State government, National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), and their training providers.
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