Reopening of schools: Physical classes for Class X resume today in Assam

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Online mode of education will continue for students who prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school

Physical attendance in schools is optional and not mandatory

Consent of parents is necessary

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Physical classes for Class X will resume from Monday. The Assam Government decided to allow resumption of physical classes for Class X of High Schools/High Madrassas/residential schools/ day boarding schools (both government and private) from September 20 as the COVID situation in the State has improved remarkably. Earlier this month, the government had decided to resume physical classes of Senior Secondary Schools (i.e Class XII), final year classes/semesters in degree colleges and final year PG classes/semesters in universities and physical classes in technical institutions.

As per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the State Government, the online mode of education will continue for students who prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school. Physical attendance in schools is optional and not mandatory.

The re-opening of physical classes for Class X of High Schools/High Madrassas/residential schools/ day boarding schools (both government and private) is based on the criteria that COVID positivity rate is below 2 per cent in the districts and in case in any district the positivity rate goes above 2 per cent on a particular day, the Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned, as chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in consultation with the Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), will close the educational institutions till the positivity rate goes below 2 per cent.

Classes from I to IX and Class XI will remain suspended. Hostels of the educational institutions have been allowed to open only for Class X and Class XII (Class XII has already opened from September 6, 2021). There should not be more than 30 students in a section. The educational institutions must be sanitized every weekend (preferably every Sunday). COVID appropriate behaviour must be followed in every educational institution. The heads of the educational institutions must ensure that both teaching and non-teaching staff are fully vaccinated. Wearing of masks and use of sanitisers must be ensured. Social distancing in classes must be ensured and temperature checks of all students/teachers should be done every day through thermal screening.

Whenever any COVID-19 positive case is detected in the school premises, immediately the information must be shared with the nearest government health institution/Circle Office of the revenue circle concerned. Thereafter, the school should be opened the next day only for COVID-19 testing (RAT and RTPCR) of the students, teaching and non-teaching staff. Whenever multiple COVID-19 positive cases are detected in the school premises, the educational institution will be closed for seven days.

Physical distancing must also be ensured in school buses and buses will carry one-third intake of the students. The school buses should be properly sanitized twice daily.

The SOP stated that Class X students are mostly below 18 years of age and as such, special care will have to be taken while attending classes. Students will come to school provided their parents have no objection. Students willing to study from home through online mode may be allowed to do so.

Also Read: Reopening of schools hinges upon COVID-19 in Assam

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