Centre issues guidelines for reopening of schools from Oct 15. Check details here

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Education on Monday issued SOPs for reopening schools after October 15. The guidelines have been issued in accordance with the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL).

As per the guidelines issued today, the schools and coaching institutions can open in a graded manner after October 15. However, the decision on whether to reopen educational institutions will depend on the States and Union Territories (UTs).

The Ministry said that States/UTs may adopt or adapt the standard operating procedure (SoP) as per local context and requirements.

"For this purpose, States/UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precaution for reopening of schools based on the SOP to the Ministry of Education, Government of India. States/UTs may adopt or adapt the SOP as per local context and requirements," the guidelines stated.

According to DoSEL, the schools which are allowed to open must follow the guideline prepared by States/UTs education departments based on SOP issued by the DoSEL.'

The guidelines for reopening of schools shall be divided into two parts: one is SOP for health, hygiene, and safety and another is learning with physical and social distancing.

The Education Ministry's guidelines further stated that the SOP for health, hygiene, and safety include preparation the schools have to do before reopening such as proper cleaning and sanitization of all parts of the school, provision for hand wash and disinfection, seating plan, safe transport plan, staggering of time table and classes, precaution at entry and exit points, and arrangements for safe residential stay at hostels and sensitization of students, teachers, school authorities, school management committees, and parents.

The SOP also provides for safety protocols to the followed after the opening of schools such as maintaining physical/social distancing norms by keeping a minimum 6 feet gap between each other, wearing of masks at all times in the classroom, laboratory and play areas, maintaining hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and screening before entry into the school and students.

The guidelines further stated that there will be flexibility in attendance norms and students may opt for online classes rather than physically attend school.

Students will be allowed to enter the schools only after producing a consent letter signed by their parents.

The SOP also emphasizes following the health protocols as advised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Moreover, precautions to be taken for preparing and serving mid-day meals in schools are laid down in the SOP.

"Academic aspects related to teaching-learning and assessment with a focus on learning outcomes are redefined including revision of academic calendar and preparation of a comprehensive academic plan. An alternative academic calendar of NCERT may be followed.

The guidelines further added that the assessment should be learner-friendly and involving different formats rather than a pen-paper test. No assessment till up to 2-3 weeks of school reopening and Use of ICT and online learning shall continue to be encouraged.

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