Assam announces 'informal classes' for HS 2nd year & Degree 3rd-year students

Guwahati: Amid immense speculation over the reopening of schools that have been shut following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Assam's education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced "informal classes" in the state that shall commence from September 15 onwards.

Addressing the press here today, Sarma informed that the higher secondary 2nd year and third-year students of the three-year degree course in Assam will attend informal classes from September 15 to September 30.

Announcing the baby step towards a formal resumption of classes, Sarma stated that the students shall be divided into groups of 4-5 by the teachers and will have to be present in schools to be imparted teachings. The timings of these classes, however, Sarma clarified, will not be as per the regular school/college timings.

Sarma stated that the informal classes will be held in 4-5 small groups maintaining COVID-19 precautions. The experimental classes will be held from September 15 to 30.

"However, if we are alerted of a COVID-19 transmission in any of these schools or colleges, we will close them down instantly," the minister said.

Till September 1 to September 15, the state government shall sanitize the classrooms that have been kept closed since the coronavirus hit our shores, proclaimed Sarma, adding that the re-arrangement of the classrooms in accordance with the social distancing protocols.

In regards to the students in the junior classes, Sarma said that they will be given a week's study material and question paper while visiting the schools for mid-day meals and will sit with the teachers for an hour or so.

He further announced that the teachers and professors shall conduct the online classes from the institutions and not from their homes, as was being done previously. In regards to the students of those schools/colleges which are being used as quarantine centres,

Sarma said that they will be shifted to neighbouring institutions where they will have to discharge their duties. "In case it is not possible, they will be allowed to continue working from their homes."

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