Assam: New SOP issued by Education ministry for reopening schools in new year

Guwahati: A comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) has been issued by the Assam government as schools in the state prepare to reopen from January 1. The SOP dated December 28 contains detailed guidelines on the measures to be taken by educational institutions, students and guardians while going back to schools and colleges in the new year.

According to the SOP, lower primary schools will open for classes on alternate days for all classes from I to V. The SOP further mandates the issued guidelines for government and private institutions equally. It states that schools will open at 9 AM and end at 1.45 PM. Mid-day meals in government schools is also mentioned to be provided between 12.15 to 12.45 PM.

All school premises will be sanitised once every week. Classes of IV and V will be held on every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and classes of I, II, and III will be held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

It is further mentioned in the SOP that the academic year for schools and colleges has been extended until 31st March, 2021 to recover the loss in academic days and also to bring state's educational session at par with the all-India level.

Notably, provisions have also been made for students so that they can continue attending classes online instead of attending physically.

Detailed and extensive guidelines have been mentioned separately for resuming classes on Lower Primary (I to V), Upper Primary (VI to VII), Secondary (IX and X) and Senior Secondary (XI and XII) levels. Through the SOP, the State government directs educational institutions to conduct classes, mid-day meals and recesses with complete adherence to timings.

It may be mentioned that all sorts of meetings and formal or informal cultural functions are prohibited in school premises until further orders. Also attendance has been eased for students and will solely depend on the permission from parents. As such, the student must produce a written permission from parents while coming to attend classes.

Notably, the SOP comes after Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's announcement of issuing a new set of rules for opening the schools on a regular basis. Earlier the Education department decided to resume continuous education with proper adherence to the Covid protocols in the state.

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