Supplementary SOP issued for reopening of educational institutions in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: After many months, educational institutions will reopen from Monday for the final-year classes - Class XII, TDC final year and post-graduation final year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the educational system and student-teacher classroom learning. Considering the importance of continuons education and following improvement in the COVID situation in the State, the Assam Government has decided to start physical re-opening of Senior Secondary Schools (i.e Class XII), final year classes/semesters in degree collèges and final year PG classes/semesters in universities, and physical classes in technical institutions.

The State Education Department has issued supplementary Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the physical reopening of schools and colleges. 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 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 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 DDMA, in consultation with MD, NHM, will close the educational institutions till the positivity rate goes below 2 per cent.

Classes from I to X and Class XI will remain suspended along with other classes/ semesters of colleges/ universities, excluding final year classes/semesters in degree colleges and final year PG classes/semesters in universities and technical institutions until further orders.

In respect of final year students of Class XII, final year degree students of degree colleges and final year PG students of universities and technical institutions, the hostels of the educational institutions are allowed to open only for postgraduate, graduate and Higher Secondary final year students and technical institutions with fully vaccinated residents.

The physical classes for the postgraduate, graduate and higher secondary final year students and technical institutions will be allowed for students having at least single dose vaccine. However, students of Class XII who arc below 18 years and if not vaccinated, should also be allowed to attend the physical classes.

There should not be more than 30 students in a section. The head of the institution will assess the required number of sections and open more sections accordingly, if required.

Vaccination of schoos/college/universities/Technical Institutions staff (teaching and non-teaching) will be mandatory and they must all get vaccinated before they join duty. In case second dose of COVID vaccination is due, they will ensure that they will take the second dose within the stipulated time frame.

Whenever multiple COVID-19 positive cases are detected in the school premises, the school/educational institution will be closed for a period of seven days. Subsequently, after closure of the school/ educational institution, the school building, including the entire premises desk and benches, toilet stations, drinking water station should be thoroughly sanitized. Thereafter, after seven days, the school will be re-opened with due permission from Deputy Commissioner of the district.

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