STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Government on Friday issued comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for formal reopening of schools (classes VI to XII) from November 2.
The SOPs prepared keeping in strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols, will also be applicable to undergraduate, degree, engineering colleges, polytechnics, university, private educational, training and coaching institutions. As per the SOPs staggered timetable will be followed for all the classes from VI to XII.
In Upper Primary, Secondary and Senior Secondary schools, for students of classes VI, VIII, X and XII, the classes will be conducted on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Fixation of the first batch and the second batch of students will be done by the respective heads of the institutions (for example, for classes VI and X in the morning shift; and for classes VIII and XII in the afternoon shift).
For students in classes VII, IX and XI, the classes will be conducted on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Fixation of the first batch and the second batch of students will be done by the heads of the respective institutions.
There will be two batches for each class. However, if in any class, the total number of students is less than 20, then division in that batch will not be required.
While the timing for the first batch of students will be from 8 am to noon, that of the second batch will be from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm.
The first batch of students will have their midday meal from 11.30 am to Noon; and the next batch will have midday meal from 12.30 pm to 1 pm.
Regular COVID tests for cooks and helpers of midday meals is required to be ensured and has to be done after a gap of every 15 days or in case of any symptoms of fever, cough, difficulty in breathing etc.,
The schools/educational Institutions will have to be sanitized each weekend (preferably Sundays).
The students will be made aware about the proper and scientific use of masks, frequent change of masks, sanitization, maintenance of physical distance of minimum six feet — both inside and outside the classrooms.
The teaching and non-teaching staff of all educational institutions will be medically tested for COVID-19 after every 30 days and in case of symptomatic case the testing should be done immediately.
Whenever any single COVID-19 positive case is detected in the school premises; thereafter, the school should be opened next day only for COVID-19 testing (R.A.T) of the students, the teaching as well as the non-teaching staff, and cooks and their helpers among others.
Whenever multiple COVID-19 positive cases are detected in the school premises and thereafter, the school/educational institution will be immediately closed for seven days.
In respect of private educational institutions, social/physical distancing will be maintained and buses will carry 1/3 intake of the students in the bus. The school buses should be properly sanitized twice daily.
Attendance of students must not be enforced and will be purely based on parents' consent.